Techiman: Victims of the Techiman Central Market fire outbreak in the Bono East Region have described the incident as devastating and heart-breaking, calling for urgent support. The inferno occurred around 2000 hours on Sunday, January 12, 2025, and razed to the ground more than 700 stores, shops, and containers, with the Alata market worst affected. Most foodstuffs, secondhand clothing, and footwear sold at the central market were also destroyed by the fire.
According to Ghana News Agency, during a visit, Madam Neematu Osman, the Leader of the Somanka Market Women Association at the central market, stated in an interview that all their wares and items had been destroyed by the fire, and they need support urgently. "Until we get the support, it will be extremely difficult for us to re-organize ourselves and get back to our normal economic activities," she stated. Madam Alimatu Bayan, one of the market leaders, also expressed similar sentiments and called for government intervention.
Another victim and a trader, Madam Amshawu Osman, who sells food spices at the Alata market, said she had lost her socio-economic livelihood to the fire incident, pleading for assistance from philanthropists, wealthy individuals, and development partners. "It is very sad that instead of supporting them to quench the fire, some miscreants capitalized on the outbreak and looted properties of the victims," one Madam Priscilla Ameyaa, a trader, stated.
Another trader, only known as Ataa Maame, confirmed to the GNA that though her store was not affected by the fire, thieves broke into it and made away with bunches of plantain. Dr. Mohammed Awal, a Parliamentary Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Techiman South Constituency in the Election 2024, had since visited the market and sympathized with the victims, urging them to remain calm.
He assured them that the government would come to their aid, saying President John Dramani Mahama was committed to making life better for everybody. At the time of filing this report, the Bono Regional Executives of the NDC and some stakeholders were holding a meeting on the fire incident.
