The Chief Fire Officer (CFO) of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, has issued a stern warning to the public regarding increasing negligence that continues to cause devastating fire outbreaks across the country.
Her caution follows a massive inferno that gutted the Timber Market at Aayalolo-Amamomo within the Accra Metropolitan Assembly in the early hours of Saturday, September 13.
The fire destroyed heavy-duty equipment and materials worth millions of Ghana cedis, leaving numerous artisans and craft manufacturers in despair as their sources of livelihood were reduced to ashes.
This latest incident adds to a growing list of fire disasters at major commercial hubs in Ghana. Just three days before, a similar fire incident was reported at Laterbiokoshie, igniting public debate over the effectiveness of fire safety measures in urban markets.
Despite the prompt response from GNFS personnel, firefighters encountered significant challenges due to poor accessibility within the market. As a result, the fire spread rapidly and consumed a large section of the facility before it was finally brought under control.
“The inaccessibility of many of our markets severely hampers emergency response efforts. We need to address this urgently,” CFO Ntow Sarpong emphasized during her interview with TV3 at the scene on September 13.
CFO Ntow Sarpong confirmed that preliminary investigations into the Aayalolo fire have already resulted in the arrest of one suspect. She assured the public that investigations into this and other recent incidents are ongoing, and that all culprits will be brought to justice.
“We cannot continue to allow negligence or possible foul play to ruin lives and livelihoods. The Fire Service will work closely with law enforcement to ensure that those responsible face prosecution,” she said.
The economic fallout from the fire has been devastating for many of the traders who operate at the Timber Market. Most of them lack insurance coverage, leaving them without any financial cushion to recover from such disasters.
“This fire has taken everything. We have no insurance, no backup. We don’t know how we will start again,” lamented one affected artisan.
The Timber Market serves as a major hub for the supply of construction materials in Accra, and its destruction is expected to disrupt supply chains, potentially leading to shortages and price hikes in the building sector.
Traders, civil society organizations, and local advocacy groups are now calling on government authorities to take urgent steps to modernize markets across the country. Their demands include:
- Regular fire safety audits in all markets
- Installation of fire hydrants and firefighting equipment
- Widening of access routes for fire trucks and emergency vehicles
- Use of fire-resistant materials in market construction
- Upgrading electrical wiring systems to reduce the risk of electrical fires
Several traders have also expressed concern over the general lack of fire education and preparedness in Ghanaian markets, urging the Ghana National Fire Service to intensify its public outreach and fire safety training programs.
CFO Ntow Sarpong reiterated the Ghana National Fire Service’s commitment to protecting lives and property but emphasized that public cooperation is essential.
“We can only succeed if the public works with us. Everyone must take responsibility—whether it’s reporting faulty wiring, following fire safety guidelines, or not leaving flammable materials unattended,” she added.
With the festive season approaching and commercial activities expected to increase, the GNFS has promised to ramp up inspections and fire education campaigns to reduce the risk of further incidents.
As Ghana grapples with a disturbing rise in market fires, the incident at Timber Aayalolo Amamomo stands as yet another wake-up call. It underscores the urgent need for a coordinated, multi-agency approach to fire prevention, market infrastructure upgrades, and enforcement of safety standards.
For now, affected traders continue to count their losses and hope for swift action from both the authorities and the Ghana National Fire Service to prevent future tragedies.
