Following recent rampant and devastating fire incidents across the country, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) in the Ashanti Region is stepping up its “Operation Stop Fire Disasters” (OSFiD), targeting all markets where negligence and poor safety standards are fueling the situation.
The campaign intensification follows alarming data from the Ghana National Fire Service, which recorded over 50 fire outbreaks across the region in just the last three months, a statistic that has pushed disaster managers to move beyond education toward enforcement.
“The situation on the ground is deeply alarming. Our checks between October and November uncovered a pervasive lack of basic safety tools. We found shops operating without fire alarms, smoke detectors, or functioning extinguishers,” said Alhaji Mohammed Nasir Ibrahim, Ashanti Regional NADMO Coordinator, during a media briefing.
Officials report a dangerous culture of complacency and direct violation of safety protocols.
“In almost all the 30 markets we visited in and around Greater Kumasi, including the Kejetia Redeveloped Market, we observed poor electrical wiring. Even more concerning, traders are often found cooking with gas cylinders in the same space where they sell highly combustible items, creating a time bomb,” Alhaji Nasir explained.
This persistent disregard for safety measures has frustrated officials who have spent years on public education campaigns. Despite repeated warnings, the destructive fires continue, devastating livelihoods and threatening the economic hubs of the region.
To break this cycle, the OSFiD initiative is adopting a tougher stance. NADMO has announced it will now collaborate directly with law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with fire safety laws.
“After the educational phase, traders who flout the law will be made to sign bonds of good behaviour, formally committing not to cook or bring prohibited equipment into the markets. We believe this legal and psychological step will significantly improve compliance.”
With the “Operation Stop Fire Disasters” campaign now in full force, all eyes are on the markets to see if this blend of education and stringent enforcement can finally douse the rampant flames threatening Ashanti’s trading communities.
