The Management of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has banned the sale of explosive and highly inflammable materials within the Kumasi City Market (Kejetia)and its surrounding areas.
This move is aimed at averting fire outbreaks and safeguarding lives and property.
Speaking on Ghanakoma morning show on Akoma 87.9fm in Kumasi with Sir John, on Friday, February 27,2026, the Mayor of Kumasi, Richard Ofori Agyeman Boadi, said the directive, which takes immediate effect, specifically targets traders dealing in substances such as carbide, petrol (gasoline), acid, gas cylinders, black powder, smokeless powder, and other combustible materials considered dangerous in densely populated commercial zones.
According to him, all dealers and traders engaged in the sale of such materials have until Sunday, 1st March 2026, to remove their stock from their shops and cease operations within the market enclave.
The Assembly has made it clear that failure to comply with the directive will attract strict sanctions.
He emphasized that the measure forms part of broader efforts to strengthen safety regulations within the bustling commercial hub, which remains one of the largest and busiest markets in West Africa.
To ensure full compliance, a joint security task force comprising personnel from the military, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and national security operatives will be deployed to conduct inspections and enforce the ban.
The task force is expected to embark on what officials describe as a “massive operation” to identify and prosecute recalcitrant traders who defy the directive.
He said the operation will be thorough and uncompromising, stressing that public safety remains paramount.
The decision comes against the backdrop of recurring fire outbreaks in major markets across the country, incidents that have led to devastating losses running into millions of cedis.
Kumasi City Market, due to its congestion and the nature of goods sold, has often been cited as highly vulnerable to fire disasters.
He maintained that the continued sale and storage of explosive and flammable materials within such a crowded commercial space poses a serious risk, particularly in areas where electrical wiring, open flames, and cooking activities are common.
“The safety of traders and patrons is our utmost priority,” the Assembly noted, adding that the directive is not intended to frustrate legitimate businesses but to ensure that hazardous materials are handled in designated and regulated locations.
He therefore called on all affected traders to cooperate fully with the directive and relocate their operations to approved areas that meet safety standards. Market leaders and associations have also been encouraged to assist in sensitizing members to avoid confrontations during the enforcement exercise.
By Benjamin Aidoo
