A section of the Takoradi temporary market was razed down by fire and over 100 structures were affected.
A temporary market was developed for traders of the Takoradi Market Circle due to the reconstruction of the market into an ultra-modern edifice and to meet the standard of a modern market structure.
The unfortunate incident occurred on Monday, April 4, 2022, at about 2:00 am and eyewitnesses say a fire that started small later developed into an inferno causing great damage.
A month after the incident, Skyy Power FM’s Journalist, Alex Tagoe was there to monitor and inspect the location that was affected by the fire and see the progress so far.
During the visit, some of the traders who were affected were compelled to share spaces with other benevolent traders whiles others were nowhere to be found.
Speaking to an affected trader, she claimed 3 of her stores were razed down by the fire and lost more than GHS20,000.
Also, not much has been done for them since the fire by the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), the trader said.
“The assembly has not told us anything or what they are doing for us since the fire outbreak, It was this one time that we organised ourselves and stormed their office and they told us they will only build a roofing structure for us,” she said.
“We are still hoping, only if they can do it quickly, it would be very helpful because it has been a month now and they have not made much progress…We have families that depend on us, I am a widow and I take care of my kids alone.”
“I would hope they can as well facilitate loans for us to get back on our feet because at this very moment, it will be difficult to bounce back without that.”
Monitoring the progress of the roofing structure that the STMA is constructing for the traders, it is just about 40% complete even though the Western Regional Minister, Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah promised a speedy completion.
The assembly would have to speed the process and also help facilitate loans for these traders to bounce back to business. They were however advised to insure their business with Insurance companies so they will get help when the need arises.