Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson has directed the immediate cessation of all commercial activities and the total evacuation of traders in and around the Food Market at the Albert Bosomtwi-Sam Fishing Harbour in Sekondi.
The directive follows a fire outbreak at a premix fuel dump stationed at the fishing harbour on Sunday, which destroyed several properties.
According to the Fire Safety Officer at the Albert Bosomtwi-Sam Fishing Harbour, DCFO Jimmy Nab Daisie, heavy rains at about 3:30 p.m. caused vegetation and portions of a slope around the premix fuel dump to collapse.
The runoff and mudslide subsequently pushed down a nearby electricity pole, which fell between premix fuel tanks and sparked a fire. The blaze quickly spread to other fuel tanks in the vicinity, triggering a major inferno. Several structures, makeshift stalls, carts and two vehicles parked nearby were reduced to ashes.
Five fire tenders from the Ghana National Fire Service, the Port of Takoradi and the Ghana Air Force, with support from fisherfolk in the area, battled the blaze for several hours before bringing it under control.
On Monday morning, the Western Regional Minister, accompanied by the Omanhene of Essikado, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Director of Port of Takoradi Captain James Richard Quayson and other stakeholders, toured the scene to assess the extent of damage.
Beyond the fire incident itself, the team observed that other portions of vegetation and weakened slopes overlooking sections of the fishing harbour posed a significant risk of further collapse. Addressing the media after the inspection, Mr. Nelson said the focus must now shift from responding to the disaster to preventing another one.
“Beyond the incident of last night, we should be looking at how to prevent any more such incidents from happening. Clearly, looking at the whole area, you see the threat of another landslide happening anytime soon because the rains have not stopped.”
The Regional Minister subsequently directed that all commercial activities at the Food Market and adjoining areas cease immediately and that traders fully evacuate the affected zone as a precautionary measure.
“The key decision in this is to ask everybody who is in the way, all those along the stretch, to evacuate because nobody can predict. In fact, we couldn’t predict this one. Now that this has given us a clear indication of what could happen, anybody along the stretch must be told to evacuate so that we’re able to save lives.”
Warning against complacency, Mr. Nelson stressed that the danger remained real and imminent and asked for total compliance.
“Sometimes when a message like this comes up, people disregard it. This is a very serious risk up there waiting, an accident waiting to happen. I want to believe that everyone who is in the line, anyone on that stretch, will take a cue from what has happened here and respond appropriately so that we don’t have any casualties should any side of the stretch come down.”
Director of the Port of Takoradi, Captain James Richard Quayson, disclosed that Management had on several occasions attempted, unsuccessfully, to halt and relocate premix fuel activities from active operational areas of the fishing harbour.
“Fortunately, the Fishing Harbour Manager was here in person with his deputies when the whole thing happened. They immediately called for assistance and the fire, safety and security managers were here to help cordon off the area.”
While acknowledging discussions around a long-term engineering solution, including the construction of retaining walls to stabilize the slopes, he said the immediate concern remained public safety.
“The Regional Minister mentioned the long-term solution of retaining the wall. That is what we will take to Management and see what can be done. But the potential risk is there and anybody who loves his life should evacuate for now. Bread-and-butter issues, yes, we appreciate that, but you should love your life first.”
At the time of filing this report, public announcements were being made to inform traders and other occupants of the decision to suspend activities and evacuate the area.
By Eric Yaw Adjei
