The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) says installing a Public Address (PA) System at Kantamanto market — along with dedicated borehole water hydrants — could be a game-changer in preventing and managing fire outbreaks.
Speaking during a fire safety education session with traders on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Rashid Kwame Nisawu said the absence of a central communication system makes it harder to alert traders and customers during emergencies.
“In modern markets, PA systems help spread messages instantly. Without it, you’ll be roaming from shed to shed, which is not sustainable,” he said, noting that such a system could save valuable time in a crisis.
ACFO Nisawu also stressed the need for reliable water sources for firefighting, recommending hydrants connected to dedicated boreholes rather than Ghana Water Company mains. “With boreholes, we can get water 24/7- anytime there’s an emergency,” he explained.
The call comes months after the December 2024 inferno that gutted large portions of the market, destroying livelihoods and property. Other proposals from the GNFS include creating open spaces for fire truck access and establishing a fire post within the market to provide regular patrols and safety education.
Kantamanto Market Manager, Adutwum Atta Manu, pledged to work with the GNFS to improve safety and praised the OR Foundation for donating about 1,000 fire extinguishers, funding electrification works, and offering financial aid to affected traders.
The GNFS says it will intensify safety sensitisation campaigns at Kantamanto, but insists that without tools like a PA system and dedicated borehole hydrants, the market will remain vulnerable to future disasters.
