Zabzugu MP disburses GH¢250,000 to market fire victims

The Member of Parliament for Zabzugu, Alhassan Umar Abaako, has fulfilled a pledge made to victims of the devastating February 2026 Zabzugu Market fire by disbursing a GH¢250,000 relief package to support affected traders.

The fire outbreak, which ravaged sections of the market, left dozens of traders, particularly yam sellers, Zambalama traders and other business operators, counting significant losses after their goods and investments were destroyed.

The financial support forms part of efforts by the MP to help victims recover from the disaster and rebuild their businesses.

Abaako had earlier visited the scene of the incident to assess the extent of damage and sympathise with affected traders.

Following the visit, he established the MP's Relief Fund for Zabzugu Fire Victims with an initial donation of GH¢100,000.

Through additional contributions secured over the last four months, the fund increased to GH¢250,000.

Total of 66 beneficiaries, including individual traders and trader associations, received support ranging from GH¢5,000 to GH¢10,000.

The beneficiaries included traders from Kumasi and neighbouring Togo who regularly trade at the Zabzugu Market and suffered losses in the inferno.

Speaking during an interview with channel One TV, the MP encouraged the affected traders not to lose hope despite the challenges brought about by the disaster.

Baba Jamal to support Nima Market Fire victims with GH¢5,000 each

“We know this support cannot fully replace everything that was lost in the fire, but it will provide a foundation for affected traders to restart their businesses and rebuild their livelihoods," he stated.

According to him, the intervention was aimed at assisting traders whose sources of income were wiped out by the blaze and helping to restore economic activity within the market.

"The objective is to support traders who lost their means of livelihood and help them get back on their feet so business activities can return to normal,"Abaako said.

Several beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the MP for honouring his promise and standing with them during what they described as one of the most difficult periods of their lives.

Some traders from Kumasi praised him for extending the support beyond residents of the district, while a trader from Togo whose goods were completely destroyed described the assistance as timely and lifesaving.

Meanwhile, the incident has renewed concerns over the lack of a fire station in the Zabzugu District. During the outbreak, firefighters had to travel from Bimbilla to the scene, a delay residents say contributed to the extent of the destruction.

Addressing the concern, Abaako assured residents that steps were being taken to establish a fire station in the district.

"I am confident that by 2027, Zabzugu will have its own fire service station to improve emergency response and prevent similar losses in the future,"he assured.

ANAS/EB

Meanwhile, watch as Joffery Nortey shares his career journey from comedy to content creation