Over 800 displaced by fires in Kumasi

Mayor of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Kojo Bonsu, has decried the increasing levels of illegal electrical connections in the city.

He lamented over the risk associated with such dubious acts adding that such actions adversely affects national development.

Hon. Bonsu was addressing displaced people at a Santasi suburb called, "Check Point" in Kumasi which was razed down by fire on Saturday.

The fire, which raged on till fire fighters brought it under control at about 4am Saturday dawn destroyed over 200 structures displacing more than 800 settlers.

The settlers, mainly migrants from the northern part of the country are engaged in “kayayei”, chop bar, pillow makers, motor king riders, labourers, cleaners, among others.

Hon. Bonsu who had visited the victims earlier in the day returned to make donations to alleviate their plight whiles mapping up pragmatic long term measures to resuscitate them.

He presented items such as, mattresses, rechargeable lights, drinking cups, buckets, basins, mosquito nets and coils and blankets.

The mayor expressed profound empathies with the victims, promising the support of his office to them.

"I sincerely share in your pains and stress", he said.

Adding that, "When I came here in the morning and saw the devastation, I was heavy-hearted and that is why I have brought you these relieve items for now".

"In the meantime, please desist from indiscriminate illegal connection of power. It is dangerous. It can kill", he advised.

"The KMA will help resettle you but you have a responsibility to ensuring that, you don't continue to take chances with exposing power and setting fires around anyhow" He changed.

Hon. Bonsu praised the Ghana Fire service whose prompt intervention saved the situation from further devastation.

"Let me use this opportunity to commend our men from the fire service who promptly responded to distress calls to save the situation," he added.

Leader of the settlers, Richard Ayamga, who received the items on behalf of the displaced people, was full of praised for the the KMA.

"We are thankful to the Mayor and the KMA for this swift move to support us". He said.

"These urgently needed items have come in handy and we are overwhelmed by the mayor's gesture for which we are eternally appreciative". He added.

Promising that, "we will make sure every affected victim is duly taken care of".

He assured that, the Mayor's advice will be adhered to with the deserved diligence since it will inure to their own benefit.

Temporal structures were mounted for the victims.