Let’s re-design markets to prevent fire outbreaks •Akufo Addo

NANA Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, the flag bearer for New Patriotic Party (NPP), for the 2012 Election, has called for a standardised strategic plan in designing markets in the country to prevent the incessant fire outbreaks.
He suggested that the Ghana Institution for Engineers, Ghana Institution of Architects Architectural Engineering Services Limited (AESL) and the Ghana National Fire Service must come together in designing the markets in order to prevent such outbreaks which had caused damaged to property lives and loss of livelihood to many markets women over the years.
Akufo Addo was addressing victims of last Thursday’s fire outbreak that destroyed almost everything at the Makola Number Two Market.
Accompanied by the former Greater Accra Regional Minister, Sheikh IC Quaye and former Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Authority (AMA), Mr Stanley Agiri Blankson, Nana Akufo Addo inspected some of the burnt areas and exchanged greetings with some of the victims.
Nana Akufo-Addo bemoaned what appeared to be a high frequency of fire outbreaks occurring in markets in the country in recent times, calling for immediate steps to arrest the problem.
“There have been too many fire outbreaks in our markets lately, and it is high time we took serious steps to bring the situation under control,” Nana Akufo-Addo told the large number of traders who had gathered to catch a glimpse of him.
Though unannounced, Nana Akufo-Addo’s visit to the Abgobgloshie market attracted a large number of people who eventually abandoned their businesses to accompany him and his entourage during their nearly one hour walk around some portions of the market, mostly areas that were affected by the fire.
The policemen present at the market had a hectic time controlling the crowd.
Nana Akufo-Addo added: “I am making a passionate appeal to the relevant authorities, especially the Institutes of Engineers, Architects and Planners, to come out with innovative plans for the construction of modern prototype markets that will make it difficult for the recurrence of these fires.”
He said aside the major role market women played in the growth of the economy of the country, they were also the major bread winners of their various families and that when such disasters occurred, they tended to have serious repercussions on both the economy and families.
He consoled the market women on the loss of their wares and prayed that the almighty God would see them through.
Surprisingly, as of 10.10a.m. when Daily Graphic team got to the market, there were spots of flames and smoke at some parts of the market, five days after the outbreak.
What amazed most of the women who had lost their wares was that there were fires even after the heavy down pour of rain at the weekend.
This necessitated some of the women to call the fire service to come around with a fire tanker and a fire tender to take care of the remaining fire.
Nana Akufo Addo and his entourage later visited the Jamestown palace to sympathise with the chiefs and elders on the loss of one of their sub-chiefs.