Member of Parliament of the Suame Constituency, John Darko
John Darko, the Member of Parliament for the Suame constituency, has expressed deep concern and sadness following a devastating fire at the Suame Magazine in Kumasi.
The MP visited the scene of the fire, which destroyed numerous cars, shops, cash, and other properties, to show support for the victims and to assess the extent of the damage.
Speaking to the media after the visit, Darko lamented the loss of resources, emphasizing the need for extreme caution when dealing with fire. “I am worried and saddened by the loss of resources,” he stated. He highlighted potential causes of the fire, including unattended burning rubbish, careless cigarette smokers, and volatile substances. “Fire is very dangerous, and we cannot be joking with it,” he added.
The MP stressed the critical importance of prevention, urging people to completely extinguish fires before leaving any area. “It is only when we prevent it that we can live peacefully. It is always better to prevent it,” he said. He acknowledged that while public entities such as the fire service play a crucial role in the event of a fire outbreak, the primary responsibility for fire prevention lies with individuals.
He explained that while investigations into the cause of the fire were still ongoing, speculations point to the cause being a result of the people’s actions and not electricity.
Turning his attention to the needs of those affected, John Darko requested that victims of the fire submit their names to the garage association chairman. He stated his intention to engage with the Ministry of Interior to explore avenues for support. He also appealed to companies in the Ashanti Region and across the nation to donate building materials like cement and plywood to help with reconstruction efforts.
Lawyer Darko also urged his constituents to consider fire insurance for their shops, highlighting the financial protection it provides. He stated that it is something they need to consider, given the frequency of such events. He acknowledged that the area is a long-standing industrial area, stressing that preventing fires is the most effective way to avoid such disasters, further adding that prevention is always better than cure.
He ended his statement by thanking all who would consider supporting the victims and re-emphasizing how fire prevention can save money.
Following Lawyer Darko’s speech, Alhaji Lukeman Nuhu Appiadu, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Garages Association, also expressed his concern over the incident.
He said, “it was very unfortunate that, the Suame Magazine has experienced such fire outbreaks in a row within a week.” Appealing for support for the victims, Alhaji Appiadu advised workers to be more “circumspect and vigilant over certain activities that could possibly generate a fire outbreak.”
