Victims of the Adum PZ market fire in Kumasi, the Ashanti Region, have rejected a donation of 1,500 bags of rice, 800 boxes of cooking oil, and soap from Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed, Minister of Interior and MP for Asawase.
The traders, who lost their livelihoods in the devastating blaze, have expressed their dissatisfaction with the donation, stating that it does not address their immediate needs.
At the heart of this controversy lies a fundamental misunderstanding between the government’s efforts to provide relief and the actual needs of the victims.
President John Dramani Mahama, after the incident, visited the scene to assess the situation.
The Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak’s donation, has been perceived as tone-deaf and insensitive to the traders’ plight.
The incident raises questions about the government’s approach to disaster relief and its ability to effectively communicate with affected communities, even though the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, is making efforts to help the victims.
The Adum fire has had a profound impact on the local community, with many traders struggling to come to terms with their losses.
The government’s response to the disaster has been criticized for being slow and inadequate, with many victims feeling abandoned and neglected.
Against this backdrop, Muntaka Mubarak’s donation was seen as a belated attempt to provide relief, but one that ultimately missed the mark.
The traders’ rejection of the donation is not just a rebuff of the government’s efforts, but also a testament to their resilience and determination.
Despite facing unimaginable hardship, the traders are refusing to accept handouts that do not address their fundamental needs.
Instead, they are demanding meaningful support that will help them rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
The Adum fire, which occurred recently, has had a devastating impact on the community, with several properties destroyed and many businesses left in ruins.
The fire has also sparked controversy, with some attributing it to a power outage, which was later disputed by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
The Ghana National Fire Service has been working to extinguish the blaze and provide support to the affected traders.
In the aftermath of the fire, various government officials, including the former Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, have visited the scene and offered support to the victims.
Dr Bawumis was given a rousing reception by the grieving traders.
Wtch a video of the victims hooting at the officials:
