A devastating fire swept through Kantamanto Market in Accra, Ghana, reducing hundreds of stalls to ashes and disrupting the livelihoods of thousands of traders. The inferno, which erupted in the early hours of January 2, 2025, destroyed a significant section of one of the world’s largest secondhand clothing hubs, displacing thousands who rely on the market for their daily bread.
Ghana’s National Fire Service confirmed via Facebook that the fire has been fully extinguished, with no injuries or fatalities reported. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the blaze. Traders and market workers, however, are left grappling with unimaginable losses.
“I was at home when I got the call. By the time I arrived around 3 a.m., it was all gone,” lamented Kwabena Charles, a secondhand shoe dealer, to Ghana News Agency (GNA). “We tried to salvage what we could, but it was impossible,” he added, estimating his losses in the thousands.
Videos shared by the fire service captured the dramatic scenes of flames engulfing rows of tightly packed stalls. The aftermath was equally harrowing: aerial images revealed a blackened expanse, as traders sifted through debris in a desperate attempt to recover anything of value.
Richard Amo Yartey, director of the National Disaster Management Organization, expressed sympathy during a visit to the scene. “It’s unfortunate that such a tragedy strikes as we begin the New Year. But this is not the end. We are committed to supporting those affected and helping them rebuild their lives,” he assured.
Kantamanto Market, a vital hub employing over 30,000 people, processes millions of secondhand clothing items imported from the West. Tragically, this is not the first fire to ravage the market. For many traders, it feels like a recurring nightmare, compounding fears of starting over in an already challenging economic climate.
This fire underscores the urgent need for stronger safety measures and better support systems to protect Ghana’s bustling markets and the communities they sustain.