Circle Fire Incident: 'Put safety first in rebuilding' – Kokomlemle chief

A devastating fire swept through Accra’s bustling Circle area on January 20, 2026, leaving the community reeling.

However, amid the ashes, a message of hope and determination emerged.

In a report by GhanaWeb TV’s Naomi Appiah-Danquah on January 21, 2026, the Chief of Kokomlemle, Nii Ayikwei Kakalorl, offered comfort and issued a clear call to action in the aftermath of the disaster.

He stated, “This falls under my jurisdiction. On January 20, we learned of the fire outbreak, which was widely reported, and that is why the Minister visited the area. My heartfelt condolences go out to the victims whose properties were destroyed by the flames. We pray that the good Lord restores all lost goods in abundance on their behalf.”

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“Our hearts are heavy with the loss,” he continued, “but we must now focus on rebuilding, and we must do so with safety as our absolute priority.”

Chief Kakalorl emphasised the importance of adhering to building codes and safety regulations during the reconstruction process.

“In addition, as the Minister mentioned, the municipality will engage those who suffered losses. We will strive to create a promising new structure for them, ensuring that everyone whose containers and goods were damaged can have a store or shop to help them return to their livelihoods.

“We encourage everyone to collaborate with the government representative, the MCE, so we can accomplish this as quickly as possible. These are not normal times; if you don’t hustle, how can you feed your family?” he said.

He urged the community to learn from the tragedy and work together to create a safer environment for all.

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“This is not just about bricks and mortar,” he added. “It’s about rebuilding lives, restoring hope, and ensuring that such a disaster never happens again.”

The Chief’s message resonated deeply with residents and officials alike as the community began the long road to recovery. The call for safer rebuilding practices, he noted, is a crucial step toward preventing future tragedies and fostering a stronger, more secure community.

He concluded by appealing to the queen mother at the Circle market to organise traders to acquire adequate fire extinguishers within the market, so that if a similar incident occurs, prompt action can be taken to control the fire while waiting for the fire service to arrive.

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