The Member of Parliament-elect for the Bongo Constituency, Charles Bawaduah, has visited the site of the devastating Kantamanto Market fire to commiserate with traders affected by the incident.

During his visit, Mr. Bawaduah interacted with the leadership and members of the Live Birds Sellers Association, offering words of comfort and pledging his support for recovery efforts.

The fire, which destroyed shops and goods worth millions of cedis, has left many traders, including those from Bongo, in desperate need of assistance.

The MP-elect highlighted the significant impact of the fire on poultry traders from the Bongo Constituency.

These traders, who regularly transport goods to Kantamanto for sale, have suffered enormous losses, with weeks of hard work and investment wiped out in the blaze.

He noted that many of these traders operate on loans, and the destruction of their goods has placed them in a very difficult situation.

In addressing the traders, Mr. Bawaduah emphasized the importance of insurance in mitigating such losses.

He encouraged traders to consider insurance policies as a protective measure against unforeseen disasters like the fire.

“No one expects a tragedy, but preparation is essential. Insurance policies can serve as a safety net for traders against property destruction, illness, and even death,” he noted.

To make insurance accessible to ordinary traders, he urged insurance companies to introduce innovative pay-as-you-go or quarterly policies, as many traders struggle with the high cost of annual premiums.

As part of his commitment, Mr. Bawaduah pledged to organize an insurance bootcamp to educate traders and assist them in enrolling in low-cost policies.

In an interview, Mr. Bawaduah appealed to the government to intervene swiftly to support the affected traders.

He noted that the Live Birds Sellers Association was yet to receive any form of assistance following the disaster.

Meanwhile, John Nyaaba, Vice President of the Association, disclosed that approximately 400 members of the group had suffered varying degrees of loss, with individual traders losing between 500 and 1,000 birds. He expressed gratitude for Mr. Bawaduah’s visit and described his commitment to the community as exemplary.

The fire, which occurred in the early hours of January 2, 2025, is believed to have destroyed thousands of businesses and goods worth millions of cedis. The incident has left affected traders appealing for urgent intervention to restore their livelihoods.

Charles Adongo Bawaduah, a seasoned labour law expert and former Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission, brings years of legal and industrial relations experience to his role as MP-elect for Bongo.

His proactive efforts to address the fallout from the Kantamanto fire reflect his dedication to supporting his constituents and promoting community resilience.