Managers of the Kejetia Market say all necessary action will be taken to restrain traders from opening shops closed down for investigations into a recent fire incident at the market.

This is in response to threats by some traders to forcibly open their shops to trade.

About eight hundred shops have been shut.

Vice Chairman of the Market's Board, Nana Agyenim Boateng the first, says the shops will remain closed until investigations are completed.

“We are saying that it has affected the integrity of the structure which calls for it to be investigated. In the cordoning of these areas we are still doing the works”, he said.

About forty-two shops were affected by the fire which started from a shop that deals in combustibles at the market.

At least eight hundred of the 8,000 shops in the market have since been closed as part of investigations.

Some traders on Tuesday removed barricades used to cordon the area in protest against the city authorities.

Preliminary investigations have established some extensive damage to some parts of the Kejetia Market by the fire.

Aside from the first floor where the fire started, beams on the second floor and other mechanical, engineering, and plumbing systems are affected by the fire.
“It was established that the concrete slabs have been exposed to heat for a long time and specialists should conduct a more detailed investigation with proper equipment to confirm the integrity”, Nana Agyenim Boateng said.

According to experts, further work will have to be done on the structure to pass it fit for full operation.

According to the interim report, the market should be downgraded until the firefighting mechanisms are fully installed.

But traders, contractors, and consultants for the project who investigated the incident are requesting further assessment from a third party.