Adum fire victims in Kumasi have rejected food donations from the Interior Minister and Asawase MP, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, insisting they need urgent market reconstruction instead of temporary relief.
The devastating fire, which broke out on March 21, destroyed several shops, leaving traders desperate for financial and infrastructural support to restart their businesses. On March 26, Muntaka arrived at the scene with a truckload of supplies, including 1,500 bags of rice and 8,000 boxes of cooking oil and soap, as part of his relief efforts to the Adum fire victims.
However, frustrated traders turned down the donation, chanting, “Yempɛ ɛmo,” which means “We don’t want rice.” A video circulating on social media captured the moment they jeered at the Minister and his team, expressing anger over what they described as misplaced priorities.
One trader voiced the collective frustration, shouting, “We need our market back, not bags of rice. How will food help us restart our businesses?”
The victims stressed that without a rebuilt market, food donations were meaningless. They urged the government to intervene immediately to reconstruct the site and safeguard their livelihoods. Additionally, they expressed fears of eviction and called on authorities to guarantee their right to return once the redevelopment is completed.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, accompanied by New Patriotic Party (NPP) executives, visited the Adum fire victims on March 25. He pledged GH₵200,000 and bags of cement to aid in rebuilding the market.
Muntaka, acknowledging the traders’ grievances, called for long-term solutions to prevent frequent market fires, emphasizing their economic impact on traders and the national economy.
