Adum Fire: We need well-planned market structures – GUTA

Charles Kusi Appiah leads the Business and Economic Bureau at GUTA. He has called for a plan to improve market structures in Ghana.

On March 24, he spoke on the AM Show on JoyNews. He highlighted the need for policies to prevent fires like the recent one at Adum market.

Mr. Appiah believes a good market system needs regular assessments. These should check electrical wiring, building structures, and market accessibility. This will help identify hazards before disasters happen.

He suggested that markets should have annual integrity assessments. If any issues arise, they should be fixed promptly to avoid incidents.

Mr. Appiah also encouraged traders to get insurance policies for protection against disasters. He said insurance companies must educate traders about coverage benefits. They should assure traders that claims will be honored when needed.

He criticized city authorities for not regulating markets before disasters strike. He argued that officials should provide solutions instead of blaming traders after incidents occur.

“These traders have been in these spaces for years,” he noted. “City authorities need to take action before problems arise.”

He emphasized that when disasters happen, it’s time to offer hope, not blame. Authorities must create business continuity plans for affected traders.

Mr. Appiah insisted that city planners must designate proper trading spaces and enforce regulations beforehand.

“When a market is destroyed, you lose the right to deny help,” he stated. “Focus on solutions first, then regulate markets properly.”