The Ashanti Regional Caucus of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Parliament has called for immediate and decisive government action following the devastating fire that engulfed the Suame Post Office Market, destroying over 100 shops and leaving thousands of traders without their livelihoods.

Traders at the Suame Post Office market in the Ashanti region are counting their losses after a late-night fire destroyed shops.

The inferno reportedly started at midnight on Tuesday and tore through the market, razing properties and various items sold at the market, worth millions of cedis.

According to eyewitnesses, gas cylinders stored at the market exploded, contributing to the rapid spread of the fire throughout the market.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 27, the caucus extended its “deepest sympathies” to the affected traders, acknowledging the extensive loss of goods and income suffered by ordinary Ghanaians.

However, the MPs also issued a stern warning over what they describe as a “worrying trend” of repeated market fires across the Ashanti Region in recent months.

“These fires have become one too many,” the caucus stated. “The people of Ashanti deserve more than routine words of sympathy and empty promises.”

The MPs criticised what they perceive as a lack of urgency and accountability from the authorities, raising pressing questions about the government’s preparedness and commitment to preventing such disasters.

“Where is the urgency, where is the accountability, and where is the concrete plan from government to stop these recurring disasters?” they asked.

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“Traders cannot continue to watch their sweat and toil reduced to ashes while authorities respond with business-as-usual attitudes.”

In response to the crisis, the Ashanti NPP Caucus issued four key demands:

1. A full-scale, transparent investigation into the Suame fire, with the findings to be made public;
2. Emergency relief and compensation packages for those affected;
3. Urgent implementation of modern fire safety infrastructure in markets, including fire hydrants, surveillance systems, and dedicated fire posts;
4. A comprehensive policy framework to address and prevent the increasing spate of market fires across the region.

The Caucus pledged to raise the matter forcefully on the floor of Parliament, emphasising their duty to protect the livelihoods of Ghanaians whose work sustains the local and national economy.

“We owe it to the hardworking men and women whose livelihoods keep our local and national economy alive,” the statement said. “Enough is enough. The time for rhetoric is over; the time for decisive action is now.”

“We stand firmly with the traders of Suame and the Ashanti Region,” the Caucus concluded, “and we will not relent until their safety, livelihoods, and dignity are secured.”