The unfortunate news that befell the Kantamanto market with the destructive fire outbreak that raised it to the ground over the weekend of January 3, 2025, is a tragedy too tearing to contend with, particularly for those whose businesses were affected.

It is depressing that the approach of a new year’s high expectations for some of our people who do business, small and mighty, in and around Kantamanto market, woke up that unfortunate morning to the distressing news of their decades-long life support in ruins. Regrettably, no one shop was spared and no one was able to save a pin. Though only one life was reportedly lost, the pain may never be forgotten.

It is even more biting, come to think that in this country, fire outbreaks of such magnitude with its attendant damage and emotional stress, sometimes with loss of lives, and is left to die natural deaths or receive low-key public investigations and retribution. Invariably, where there have been fire outbreaks in public places or buildings with public interest, not much is heard of either with the results of forensic audits or even prosecutions for negligence or otherwise.

Cry and tear

One would cry and shed a tear at the destruction because, described as one of the sprawling and patronised open markets in the sub-region, Kantamanto has been a supportive business centre for families who have been doing business there for decades. These people wake up each morning in readiness to go and earn a living. That readiness was cut short in no other time than the beginning of a new year as they were getting ready to count their profits or otherwise and strategise for a fresh new year.

Some people may never have shopped inside the market. What took me there over a decade and a half ago was based on testimonies shared by some colleagues because our office then was only a stone’s throw from the market. 

I remember an expatriate Director of my company who, at his farewell dinner spoke affectionately of the Ghana he was leaving behind and specifically referred to how Kantamanto saved him so much one Christmas when his two sons insisted they wanted a particular brand of trainers worn by some of their mates at school. His driver saved the situation when he took the boys to Kantamanto market and lo and behold, they got their dream trainers at a far cheaper price.

Another testimony was how a colleague at work who had been looking for some particular lace curtains and which had taken her to all the much talked about curtain shops in the city but to no avail. Then she took a cue from our expatriate Director and went to Kantamanto one day. 

The lace curtains she had searched for were readily available there at a more reasonable price.  When she showed it to me, I rushed there for some but unfortunately for me, they were sold out.

Esteem

For many years, I have always held the Kantamanto market in high esteem and as the go-to-market when the big shops fail you. It is a Mall in its own sense though the difficult traffic situation and the availability of parking space make it difficult to stop by. Nonetheless, one cannot discount its potential.

One would cry for the demise of the famous open market and the trauma suffered by all who were selling in and around. Not only have they lost their investments, but they have also lost their daily sustenance and a dependable regular income. They were because Kantamanto was.

The market is now down to ground zero and with what happened in America on September 11, 2001, one expects that in the pain and anguish of the victims, the authorities would not get dragged into any bureaucracy but rather focus on the opportunity to raise Kantamanto market up once again for victims’ businesses to take off.

Emotions are high, as one hears people have allegedly moved in to set up some businesses on top of the rubbles. While one empathises with them, it is that time in the journey of a befallen tragedy that the mental health of the affected should be prioritised in any attempt to settle them.

It is time for the associations of psychologists and psychiatrists to find a way to reach the affected.  Thanks to the media, there is an available medium to talk to people, counsel them, pick out those whose mental health has been affected and offer the needed counselling or treatment.

It is almost one month since the outbreak of the fire.  It is wished that the responsible authorities would quicken their steps if investigations have not been completed. May plans to restore the place be given some priority.  May something better come out soon as one prays for the victims.

Those of us who once got better deals from Kantamanto will always remember the promising open market that had so much potential, serving the needs of the people right at the centre of the city of Accra. 

That is why one will cry for the Kantamanto market for good time's sake.

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The writer can be contacted via email at vickywirekoandoh@yahoo.com