Kantamanto, Techiman Markets Bounce Back

The famous Kantamanto Market in Accra, one of the foremost stock houses for used clothing, has bounced back to almost full operation after fire ravaged the trading hub on January 3, this year.

Similarly, trading life is gradually returning to normal at the Techiman Market in the Bono East Region.

The vibrant trading life at these markets typify the industry of Ghanaian traders.

At the start of the year, fire swept through the Kantamanto Market, wiping out the decades-old trading centre and reducing everything – from wares to stores – to ashes.

The fire, which caused extensive damage, left many traders counting their losses, as goods worth thousands of cedis were destroyed, dealing a heavy blow to those who depend on the market for their survival.

For many, the disaster meant starting life all over again, relying on personal savings, loans or external support to rebuild their businesses.

More disasters

It ushered in one of the worst starts to a New Year for many traders, with one person reported to have died and over a dozen others injured in the process.

That was followed by similar incidents at the Kwadaso Wood Market in Kumasi and the Techiman Market.

Reconstruction efforts

That notwithstanding, the traders are gradually returning to business as reconstruction efforts continue.

A visit to the market revealed a scene of resilience and determination, with masons, carpenters and other workers busily restoring structures while traders set up their stalls amid brisk sales.

Though the reconstruction is far from complete, the need to restore livelihoods has pushed many traders to stage an emotional comeback.

They wasted no time to display their goods and attract customers in a frantic bid to make ends meet.

Known for its usual hustle and bustle, the downtown market is, however, less crowded than usual, perhaps because some traders and customers are unaware that business has resumed.

Current situation

Traders had built makeshift stalls with wooden structures, tables and even mats to display their goods.

The urgency to recover financially was apparent, with many calling out to passers by in the hope of making some sales.

“We can’t afford to sit and wait for everything to be perfect before we start selling. This is our only source of income and we have to keep going,” one trader noted.

Massive support

The efforts of the traders were greatly boosted by the various donations from the government, institutions and some well-meaning Ghanaians after the disaster.

On behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, recently donated GH¢1m to the Kantamanso traders, while the former Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, donated GH¢200,000 and 250 packets of roofing sheets towards the reconstruction of the market.

Similarly, Absa Bank donated GH¢150,000; GCB Bank offered a GH¢3m loan package for the fire victims, in addition to some insurance packages to secure their businesses.

The list of individual donors is endless as a countless number of sympathetic Ghanaians, home and abroad, responded spontaneously in a frantic bid to give the affected businesses a new lease of life.

Techiman Central Market

In a related development, hundreds of traders who lost their shops and other investments to fire at the Techiman Central Market have resumed their trading activities after the devastating fire incident.

The traders, who had their lifetime investment burnt to ashes on the night of Sunday, January 13, 2025 had managed to rebuild and stock their shops with goods, ready for business.

The victims, who are yet to fully recover from the incident which affected about 700 shops, told the Daily Graphic that they rebuilt the shops by themselves.