A late-night fire has displaced more than 400 residents of Baba Ayoyo, a densely populated slum in Ahodwo within the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly. The blaze, which broke out around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, engulfed over 100 makeshift homes and left families scrambling for safety and shelter.
Eyewitnesses say the fire spread rapidly through the crowded settlement, catching many off guard and forcing them to flee with little or no belongings. The affected, largely women and children, have since taken temporary refuge in nearby churches and the homes of neighbors.
One resident, speaking through tears, recounted the horror of the night:
“I live here with my elderly grandmother. We couldn’t save anything. We spent the night on someone’s veranda. Please, we need help.”
Calls for emergency support have intensified, with victims appealing to government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and private individuals for immediate relief, including food, clothing, and temporary housing.
Local authorities have begun coordinating a response. Abraham Boadi, the Assembly Member for the Ridge Nhyiaeso electoral area, confirmed that officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and National Security are scheduled to visit the site on Friday, July 11, to assess the damage and determine the level of support required.
Authorities Mobilize After Raging Fire Displaces Hundreds in Ahodwo
“We’re expecting NADMO to be on the ground by 4 p.m. tomorrow,” Mr. Boadi said.
“The situation is quite overwhelming — the number of people affected is huge, and we currently don’t have enough space to house them all. In the meantime, we’ve encouraged the victims to seek temporary shelter with relatives or friends.”
As of Thursday, the charred remains of the slum stood as a grim reminder of the destruction, with many residents still searching through the rubble for salvageable items. Relief efforts are urgently needed to help the victims begin rebuilding their lives.
Calls for emergency support have intensified, with victims appealing to government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and private individuals for immediate relief, including food, and temporary housing.
“We have planned that tomorrow, around 4 o’clock, NADMO and national security will be here to assess the place and evaluate the property lost.
“The challenge now is that the number of displaced persons is too large, so we can’t find shelter for them all. We’ve encouraged them to speak to friends and family while we wait on NADMO,” mr Boadi said.
