Parts of the Madina Market in Accra were gutted by fire in the early hours of Friday, September 19, 2025, leaving several shops and wooden structures completely destroyed.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) confirmed receiving a distress call at around 1 a.m. Despite the scale of destruction, firefighters managed to stop the blaze from spreading, and fortunately, no casualties were recorded.
Greater Accra Regional Commander, DCF0 II Rashid Kwame, commended firefighters for their swift intervention and stressed the need for increased safety measures in markets. He announced that patrols will be intensified both day and night, with fire safety messages broadcast in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings. Flyers will also be distributed, and fire officers will go shop to shop and house to house to ensure traders and residents have emergency contact numbers readily available.
afternoon, “We are going to intensify our market patrols both day and night. Our fire safety messages will be played in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening. I also encourage that we are going to bring in more flyers and insist that we go from shop to shop, house to house, door to door to ensure that everybody in these marketplaces has fire service contact numbers in their cell phones.”
He praised the dedication of the fire crews, emphasizing that while people often flee danger, firefighters are trained to run toward it to restore calm and protect lives. The commander expressed gratitude to the director of operations, deputy director, and regional and district officers, urging them to remain encouraged in their work.
The cause of the fire at Madina Market remains unknown, but investigations are underway. The GNFS reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, stressing the importance of swift responses and public cooperation during emergencies.
