The Watch Sellers Association of Kumasi has revealed that watches worth millions of Ghana cedis were destroyed in the raging fire that gutted Adum on Friday, March 21, 2025.
The blaze, which broke out around 5: ooam at the bustling Blue Light arena, rapidly consumed several shops housed in two-storey building. Firefighters battled the flames as traders watched their investments go up in smoke.
While the Ghana National Fire Service continues to investigate the exact cause of the fire, Kwame Wiredu, Treasurer of the Watch Sellers Association, speaking to the media, recounted what they had gathered from the night security guards.
He said, the watchmen reported that the previous night, there was a power outage, and about ten electrical wires had fallen, with one landing on a trader’s rubber wares.
Wiredu mentioned that he had imported watches worth GHC5 million after Christmas, but an estimated GHC8 to 9 million worth of merchandise has been reduced to ashes.
Chairman of the Association, Tieku Addai, also confirmed that his two shops and a wholesale outlet were completely destroyed in the inferno.
The affected traders are now appealing for urgent support as they struggle to recover from the devastating losses.
Friday’s fire disaster has attracted several government officials to commiserate with traders who have lost goods running into millions of cedis.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Naa Momo Lartey, in the company of MASLOC CEO, Abigail Elorm Mensah and Ashanti Regional Minister, visited the fire scene on Sunday.
Addressing the media, Naa Momo Lartey said there are plans to come to the aid of the traders.
She urged those who are taking advantage of stealing others’ properties to desist from the practice and also cautioned against fueling propaganda on the incident.
“This is not the right time to push any agenda; it’s only insensitive people who will do that, let’s all find lasting solution to the situation than selling out fake news that we are going to redevelop the market for NDC members,” she advised.
