The Greater Accra Regional Fire Commander, ACFO II Rashid Kwame Nisawu, has identified the widespread practice of vendors living, cooking, and storing flammable materials in markets as a major cause of Ghana’s recurring market fires.
Speaking at the JoyNews National Dialogue on fire cycles in Ghana on Thursday, April 3, ACFO II Nisawu said many markets are no longer functioning purely as trading centres, but have become makeshift homes for traders. This, he emphasized, significantly increases the risk of fire outbreaks.
He explained that traders often sleep in their stalls, lighting mosquito coils or candles at night. When they fall asleep, the flames are left unattended, sparking fires that can quickly spread.
“Until we dedicate markets and say this is a dedicated market, don’t allow people to come cook, sleep there, bathe there… we will have challenges,” he warned.
In addition to unsafe sleeping arrangements, the fire commander highlighted the unsafe storage of combustible materials in markets. He cited the recent fire in Adum, Kumasi, where explosions during the blaze indicated the presence of highly flammable substances.
ACFO II Nisawu disclosed that investigations often reveal that goods sold in the market—such as clothing and cosmetics—can fuel the flames when fires break out.
To address the issue, he called for stricter regulation of market spaces. He proposed the creation of well-planned, dedicated markets with clear rules prohibiting overnight stays and unsafe storage practices. He also advocated for market segmentation, where traders dealing in similar goods are grouped together to reduce fire hazards.
“So to prevent these things, market segmentation — we should know that this lane is for cloth sellers, this one is for tomato sellers,” he said.
