According to the association, there is an urgent need to facilitate immediate reconstruction
The Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association has appealed for more public and corporate support towards the reconstruction of the Kantamanto Market, which was recently razed by fire.
According to the association, comprising used clothing importers, there is an urgent need to facilitate the immediate reconstruction of the market to alleviate the plight of affected traders and boost economic activities.
“We are appealing to the good people out there who are yet to respond to the victims that Kantamanto is burnt; they should come to our aid. Those who have already lent their support should also bring more because there is a need to even construct a wall around the market.
“Items like blocks, cement, and others useful in construction are needed because the whole place is made out of wood, and so there is a need to put it in proper shape to bring the market back to its previous status and even raise it beyond that,” said Patron of the Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association, Oscar Paul Ankomah.
The patron made this call when the association, on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, donated materials valued at GH₵650,000 towards the reconstruction of the Kantamanto Market.
While appealing to the affected traders to remain hopeful amidst their challenges, the patron urged them to be truthful to their creditors by ensuring they settle their debts, if possible, under the circumstances.
“They should take heart and put all their faith in Ghana. They should commit to working hard and be truthful to their creditors,” he stated.
Explaining the rationale behind the donation, the Chairman of the Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association, Jeffrey Abrokwa Boakye Yiadom, said the traders remain vital stakeholders in their business, making it incumbent upon the association to contribute to the reestablishment of the market.
“We cannot exist as importers without this market and the traders who operate here. We are the ones who import the goods to feed the market, and so if they no longer exist, we will also cease to exist,” he underscored.
He also urged the traders to consider options such as enrolling in insurance schemes to bring them relief against such occurrences in the future.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the victims, Executive Member of the Kantamanto Disaster Interim Committee, Aikins Boakye Mensah, expressed appreciation to the Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association for coming to their aid.
“We are grateful to the importers for standing in solidarity with us and coming to our aid. They brought us 520 packs of roofing sheets, which is about 130,000 pieces of sheets in total, and all of that is estimated at a cost of GH₵560,000,” he stated.
He called for more support towards the reconstruction of the market while expressing appreciation to individuals and entities who have so far donated to the victims of the Kantamanto fire.
Boakye further assured that all donations received on behalf of the victims would be put to effective use.
GA
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