The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has emphasized the urgent need for continuous monitoring and inspections of illegal power connections, which have been identified as significant contributors to market fire outbreaks.
Mr. George Ayisi, Director of Communication at NADMO, stressed this during an appearance on “ABC in the Morning” on November 15.
He called on the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to step up their efforts in assessing and preventing unauthorized power tapping.
“There should be constant monitoring of their activities, especially the illegal connections. We need to get the ECG into these places doing assessments and ensuring that no one is illegally tapping into power,” he stated.
Mr. Ayisi also highlighted the risks associated with cooking within market areas, pointing out that the use of gas stoves and coal pots in congested market spaces poses a serious fire hazard.
He recommended that market security personnel conduct daily inspections after trading hours to mitigate these risks.
“And those who use gas and coal pots to cook within the market enclaves… Because of the concentration of people, it is not proper,” he noted. Additionally, he suggested that security teams should do routine checks to ensure that all cooking appliances are turned off and that potential fire hazards are managed properly.
To address these challenges, NADMO has partnered with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to lead initiatives aimed at educating market traders on fire prevention and safety measures.
Mr. Ayisi revealed that NADMO collaborates closely with the Fire Service to run sensitization programs that equip traders with the knowledge needed to prevent fire outbreaks.
“We should engage the market people in a sensitization programme on ways to protect and prevent fire outbreaks within their market enclaves,” he emphasized.
The conversation comes in the wake of a recent fire that engulfed parts of the Odawna Market on November 14, adding to a series of devastating market fires across Ghana this year.
Despite government efforts to provide compensation and resources for affected traders, recurrent incidents have sparked concern about adherence to fire safety protocols. Illegal electrical connections, unauthorized cooking, and a lack of fire safety equipment remain key issues fueling these tragic events.
