The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has vowed to arrest and prosecute those responsible for unauthorised buildings blocking fire hydrants, following a devastating fire that gutted several shops at Tazani Lane near Ecobank in Kantamanto in the early hours of Tuesday, October 21.

The blaze, which destroyed multiple commercial structures, was brought under control at 4:49 a.m. after nearly three hours of intense firefighting.

Speaking to JoyNews, Mayor Allotey said, “Since assuming office, I didn’t know there were water hydrants here—I only found out today. I’m demolishing the structures, and I will make sure the offenders are charged and prosecuted.”

He urged residents to report violations promptly rather than waiting for incidents to occur.

“You can report it to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA). The AMA cannot see everything. Tell us what is happening, and we will attend to it. You must not wait until something happens and then say, ‘I saw the man doing it.’ That is wrong,” he added.

The Mayor also warned traders who defy regulations, noting that previous decongestion efforts had faced resistance.

“I told them to move to the back and sell, but they refused, and we lost one person. The decongestion that I did, I have promised people I am going to do it again, but this time I will not show mercy—it will be strict,” he said.

He highlighted the role of the newly established sanitation court in enforcing city laws. “As you can see, I’m taking action now—I’m demolishing the structures. When I finish, I will make sure those responsible are taken to court and held to account. I will arrest them,” Mr. Allotey added.