Affected traders in the Adum fire incident have met with the Ashanti Regional Minister and the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection to agree on a road map to redevelop the market.

Friday’s fire at the blue light arena in Adum rapidly spread through a multi-storey commercial building, engulfing shops selling mobile phones, accessories, jewelry, clothing, and used goods.

The meeting at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council addressed the current crisis and the specific needs of traders directly affected by the fire.

• Read also: Adum fire victims to receive GHs600k immediate support

The traders unanimously agreed to rebuild their shops by themselves and pleaded with the regional minister to permit them.

Speaking in an interview with Luv Fm, an Aide to the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hussein Ibrahim, explained that while the traders are determined to rebuild the market themselves, they are encouraged to wait for consultations with Manhyia Palace and the government.

He further explained that there are ongoing “structural integrity tests” to assess the strength of the buildings hit by the fire before approval can be granted.

“We are going to do what they want for them, if it’ll help us, but if it’ll not we’re not going to allow them to do it. There are some engineers on ground conducting structural integrity tests on some of the buildings after being exposed to fire. If they assess and realize everything is okay, we’ll allow renovation to commence,” said Hussein.

He noted that “after everything we’ll meet them again and we’ll discuss how best we can also help them and the government is ready to support them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the second-hand shoes dealers association at Adum blue light, Nana Boating, says they have received ¢100,000 from the RCC to open an account for the market redevelopment.