Joseph Nelson (m) with the new committee in a group picture
The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has taken a proactive step towards addressing the annual ritual of market fires across the country.
The issue of market fires occurring across the country equally affects the Western Region.
A cogent reason informing the decision of the Minister to inaugurate an 11-member Anti-Market Fire Committee to assist in preventing the occurrence of fire incidents this year.
This committee has been tasked by the minister to aim at identifying potential fire threats and propose practical recommendations towards preventing future fire outbreaks, while ensuring the safety of traders, customers, and the surrounding community.
Consequently, the committee has been given ten days to evaluate the current state of markets, identify fire threats, and propose practical recommendations to help prevent future outbreaks.
The Western Regional Anti-Market Fire Committee is being chaired by Assistant Chief Fire Officer Grade Two (ACFOII) David Asa Darko.
The committee comprises key stakeholders, including Regional Security Liaison Officer, Brigadier General Musah Whajah (Rtd) Takoradi Market Queen, Veronica Arthur, Public Relations Officer for Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) John Laste, Chairman of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Western Region, Desmond Cudjoe, Regional NADMO Director Abdul Ganiyu Mohammed, Morning Show Host at Connect FM Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson, Regional Engineer for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), a representative from Effia Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly among others.
The committee has been tasked by the Minister to aim at assessing fire risks in markets across the Western Region, with a focus on those in densely populated areas in Sekondi-Takoradi, to prevent market fires and ensure public safety.
Speaking at the inauguration, Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, urged the newly formed Anti-Market Fire Committee to tackle their responsibility with diligence and dedication.
He expressed confidence in their ability to make meaningful contributions, highlighting that they were carefully selected due to their unwavering commitment to the development of the Western Region.
“As the regional minister, I’ve taken lessons here from the recent devastating fires in Greater Accra and Ashanti regions. To prevent such incidents in our region, I’ve assembled this team to raise awareness and focus on fire safety in our markets, big or small.”
He noted, “We’re committed to protecting our markets, where many of our mothers and sisters work hard to earn a living.
Fire outbreaks come with huge costs, not just financial, but also emotional, causing discomfort and affecting livelihoods. We are determined to prevent such incidents in our region and ensure the safety and well-being of our people”, the Minister said.
Chairman of the Anti-Market Fire Committee Assistant Chief Fire Officer Grade Two (ACFOII) David Asa Darko, explained the challenges fire fighters face when combating market fires.
To this end, he cautioned market women and traders in various markets about the dangers associated with fire outbreaks, while emphasizing the need for vigilance and cooperation to prevent such incidents.
“To prevent market fires, I strongly recommend that cooking in the markets must be prohibited. Additionally, the issue of illegal electricity connections must be addressed. The electricity company should conduct regular inspections to identify and rectify these illegalities, which often cause havoc during rainfall.
He noted “Another major challenge is the lack of clear walkways in the markets. It is essential to create designated paths to ensure that fire fighters can easily access the market in case of a fire emergency. Currently, the numerous obstructions make it difficult for personnel to reach the seat of the fire”.
The Chairman added “We will continue to brainstorm and develop more strategies to prevent market fires. Furthermore, we plan to engage in one-on-one discussions with market women to educate them on fire safety and prevention measures.”
The committee’s findings and recommendations are anticipated to play a crucial role in guiding the regional administration’s efforts to prevent market fires.
These recommendations will focus on implementing effective measures to safeguard markets from fire incidents, ensuring the safety of traders, customers, and the surrounding community.
