Trading beside drains, refuse containers dangerous

Takoradi, March 20, GNA- An epidemic is likely to break out in the Shama Ahanta East Metropolis (SAEMA) after the March 15 fire that engulfed the Takoradi Central Market.

Soon after the disaster, traders converted available spaces around the market into trading spots and were currently selling fresh and iced fish, meat products, vegetables, and cereals among others. The traders started operating along open drains at Takoradi Market Circle exposing consumers to health hazards after the March 15 fire that destroyed several shops, stalls and stores in the market. A visit to the market by the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday indicated that several women some with babies behind their backs were busily selling goods in the sun, near open drains and refuse containers. Shop owners whose shops and trading stores were outside the main market were doing brisk business while their counterparts who operated within the market loiter around aimlessly hoping that the market would be re-opened to enable them resume their operations. Security personnel closed the market on the night when the disaster occurred because some unknown persons started looting and breaking into shops.

Presently a bulldozer was removing the debris while personnel of the electricity company limited (ECG) are also working to restore electric power to the market.

An electricity pole was burnt during the fire and would be replaced while dangling cables were also likely to be removed to prevent electrocution when the market is finally opened.

Mr. Anthony E. Amoah in an interview said a 12-member committee had been established to investigate the cause of the fire and would submit their report by March 29.

Nana Ekow Abban, Western Regional Fire Officer said the non availability of water sources, the in-accessible nature of the market and congestion of stores, sheds, stalls limited the operations of the fire service.

He said these not withstanding, the GNFS managed to extinguish the fire, which lasted for almost four hours. On March 15 around 1830 hours, fire swept through portions of the Takoradi market and damaged properties worth billions of cedis. The fire was finally brought under control around 2300 hours and there were no casualties.

The fire quickly spread to other parts of the market where cooking oil, palm oil, cooking utensils, rubber products, foodstuffs and cloths, fowls, animals, shoes, bags and cereals among others. He noted that fire personnel and tenders from the Agona Ahanta, Shama, Takoradi and Sekondi joint

Shop and stall owners who heard of the fire outbreak besieged the market, broke their structures and retrieved some of their goods, wares and documents to prevent them from being destroyed while anxious onlookers surrounding the market and stood helplessly watching the destruction of properties.

Some criminals, pickpockets and other miscreants forced several stores open and looted the wares while others who pretended to be porters carried away any item they carried. Two of such criminals who were arrested for stealing some quantities of wax prints were severe whipped.

Several women were seen weeping, throwing themselves on the ground and attempted to enter into their fire-gutted shops. The various securities agencies within the metropolis had to be called in to restore law, order and prevent any further looting. They cordoned off the outer perimeter of the market circle and prevented the movement of goods and also prevent the women, men and children from entering the market.