Ghana has barely settled into the new year, yet the country is already grappling with a troubling surge in fire outbreaks—incidents that are destroying livelihoods, crippling small businesses, and exposing deep safety and planning gaps in urban centres.
Just last Tuesday, January 20, more than fifty shops were reduced to ashes in a major fire outbreak at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra. The blaze tore through makeshift structures behind the VVIP Station, leaving dozens of traders counting heavy losses.
“Access to the area was extremely difficult due to congestion and unauthorized structures, which delayed our operations,” a GNFS officer said.
Fire officials say poor planning and blocked access routes allowed the fire to spread rapidly before it could be contained.
Barely days later, another devastating incident occurred in Kumasi, where fire swept through a cluster of mechanic shops at Sofoline in the Kwadaso Municipality on Sunday night. The blaze, which reportedly broke out around 7:00 p.m., destroyed more than 100 vehicles, engines, and upholstery materials.
“Everything I worked for over the years is gone. We could not salvage anything,” an affected artisanlamented.
While the exact cause of the Sofoline fire is yet to be officially confirmed, some artisans blame indiscriminate burning of refuse in the area.
“We have complained about burning in this area several times, but nothing was done,” another trader alleged.
Beyond the immediate losses, these incidents have reignited a national debate on fire safety enforcement and accountability. Questions are being raised about market layouts, emergency access routes, and the continued use of substandard electrical cables and faulty wiring.
“Many fires are linked to poor electrical standards and illegal connections,” the Ghana National Fire Service has repeatedly warned.
These concerns place renewed responsibility on the Ghana Standards Authority and other regulatory bodies to tighten controls on electrical materials and enforce compliance.
As Ghana records yet another wave of destructive fires, calls are growing for stricter enforcement of safety regulations, improved urban planning, routine inspections, and sustained public education.
For many victims, the question is no longer just how the fires started but whether these disasters could have been prevented.
Until decisive action is taken, traders, artisans, and business owners across the country may continue to live and work under the constant threat of losing everything overnight.
STORY BY: NANA ACHIAA ABOAGYE
