The Head of the Business and Economic Bureau (GUTA), Charles Kusi Appiah, has emphasised the importance of facility managers at marketplaces to ensure proper management and safety. 

His comment comes after two-story buildings housing several shops were torched in a fire outbreak in the central business district of Adum in Kumasi. 

The fire at the popular Blue Light arena, close to Hello FM, started around 6am and spread rapidly as fire officers made attempts to contain the blaze. 

Speaking on the Joy AM show, he explained the need for facility managers to oversee daily activities at marketplaces and take responsibility for the smooth running of operations. He highlighted that having dedicated facility managers would allow for regular checks and proactive measures to prevent incidents such as fires. 

“We want to recommend that every facility must have a facility manager who, time in and time out, will be checking activities within the shops and proactively addressing any such occurrences," he said. 

He also pointed out that such incidents, particularly fire outbreaks, should not be frequent, and those responsible should be held accountable for their actions. 

“Yes, we cannot keep repeating the mistakes of yesterday and expect support tomorrow. There must be consequences, and that, of course, should come after an investigation has been conducted. Once the source of the fire outbreak is identified, whoever is responsible should face the law. If that is done, it will probably serve as a deterrent to other occupants,” he concluded.