Kumasi: The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), with assistance from the Ghana National Fire Service and the National Disaster Management Organisation, has executed a special operation aimed at removing traders dealing in explosive chemicals from Kejetia Market.
According to Ghana Web, the operation, conducted on March 2, 2026, is part of a strategy to avert future fire incidents in the bustling commercial hub. During the exercise, chemicals such as perfumes, soda, carbide, and other materials prone to explosion under high temperatures were confiscated. Authorities have emphasized that this decision is crucial for protecting lives, property, and investments, following previous fires that have caused considerable destruction at the market.
Addressing the traders during the operation, the Mayor of Kumasi, Richard Ofori Agyemang, clarified that the plan to remove chemical sellers was initially slated for 2023 after an earlier fire outbreak but faced delays. He underscored the necessity of the current action to shield the market from repeated disasters. The mayor also instructed all affected traders to submit their details to the Kejetia Fire Service to help authorities assess the number of operators and facilitate their relocation to shops at the Racecourse within a four-week timeframe. The Assembly reassured traders that the initiative is solely a precautionary measure and sought their cooperation to maintain a fire-free trading environment.
Rubben Ameh, the General Secretary of the Combined Traders Association, praised the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly for the initiative, seeing it as a crucial step towards safeguarding traders and property at the Kejetia Dubai Market. He pointed out that removing sellers of explosive chemicals is a preventive measure that will substantially reduce the risk of future fires often sparked by such substances. He also acknowledged that recurrent fires have inflicted heavy losses on traders over the years and stressed the importance of embracing safety-oriented measures. Ameh urged the affected sellers to collaborate fully with the Assembly and other stakeholders to ensure a seamless relocation process and foster a safer trading environment for all.