President John Dramani Mahama has directed security services to deploy personnel to strategic locations in major markets across the country in response to the alarming surge in fire outbreaks.During a visit to traders of the fire-ravaged Kantamanto Market, the President reaffirmed the government's commitment to enhancing safety measures and addressing the concerns of market operators.

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He urged the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to station fire tenders at key markets to ensure prompt responses to emergencies and minimize damage.President Mahama also announced plans to install CCTV cameras in major markets as a security measure and a deterrent against possible arsonists.

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“We had a meeting with the security heads today to see how we can tighten security around the major markets to prevent any such occurrences from happening.“In addition, we are asking the Ghana National Fire Service in the night, because these fires take place in the night, and that is what gives us room for suspicions that there are people who are deliberately doing this.“In the daytime, you don’t hear that there is a fire anywhere.

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How the fire can decide that it is only in the night that it ignites and burns is beyond everybody’s imagination.“We are asking the Fire Service, where there are major markets, to deploy their fire tenders close to the markets in the night,” he said.

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Public alarm is growing as multiple markets across Ghana continue to suffer from devastating fires, with the latest incident at the Techiman Central Market reducing hundreds of shops to ashes on Sunday night.The Tamale Timber Market, Accra’s Kantamanto Market, and the Kwadaso Wood Market in Kumasi have also recently experienced similar destructive fires, causing significant losses for traders.

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The Ghana National Fire Service is yet to determine the cause of these recurring fires. However, public speculation is mounting, with suspicions of foul play involved in the incidents.

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