Fire is a faithful servant, but an awful master
Ye mpe moo (literally, we don’t need rice) and those were “some” victims of the recent fire outbreak at the PZ Area of Kejetia, Kumasi. You could overhear one “supposed” victim quip: “1,500 bags of rice: what quantity will one get?” Another chips in “we need our place of work, not rice” Honourable Mohammed Muntaka went to the fire scene with a clear conscience, we trow.
To show empathy and donate some relief items. Some over-fed and over-indulged “male-victims” snubbed the Honourable Minister of Interior and MP for Asawasi who was “forced” to take back the relief items. It is doubtable whether the money for the purchase of the rice was Muntaka’s own or NADMO’s.
We reminisce our college days. Students were on demonstration, refusing to eat dining hall food. Yenni, Yendi (we will not eat, we will not eat). But some of the student leaders sneaked into the Dining Hall, collected some of the food, and hid in the Bathroom to eat it.
Meanwhile, some of the “female victims” were in their various homes and hovels frantically looking for food to feed their children, if not themselves. Their “petty” goods consumed by fire, leaving them penniless.
So, who were the “protesters” and did they get the mandate of the “poor” market-women to do what they did? Immediately we heard the protest, the question that came into our lips was: “Where were the leaders”. “A few days later, the leaders of the Blue Light Traders Association issued a statement, apologizing to Hon. Muntaka: “We sincerely apologise to Hon. Muntaka for this regrettable occurrence, believing strongly that this action was a result of misunderstanding and miscommunication among some members.
In distressing times like these, frustrations and emotions can run high leading to intended expression of displeasure. However, such conduct does not represent the values or intentions of the Association as a whole. We earnestly hope that Hon. Muntaka will graciously accept our apology and continue collaborating with us in the spirit of goodwill, unity and mutual respect.”
The reaction to this story on social media is wide and wild, unpalatable and unprintable (not worthy of repeating, except for few). “The wares in the market were not segregated, making the fire-fight difficult”; “the Fire Service had logistical challenge”; “the base pump, i.e. the first fire tender was left there even though empty for “strategic” reasons.
“As a country, we need to adopt more innovative ways of fighting fire”; “Dumsor can be the cause because this morning on my way to work almost the whole side of that area, were not having light …”) Oh, Kevin Taylor… no comment for the tribal slant of your attack… ei, anoyaapaanie: people smelling of urine?”
Henry Nana Boakye has expressed his concern saying another devastating fire at Kejetia Market, reportedly caused by erratic power supply (dumsor). My thoughts are with the people of Kumasi “.
When Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia visited the scene, he donated GH¢200,000 and promised 1,000 bags of cement. He noted that he supported the idea of the traders themselves rebuilding the shops… when he visited the scene. Hon. Kennedy Agyapong, the ex-Assin Central MP donated GH¢100,000 rejected by the traders, insisting they rather wanted the money to be used to purchase the electric poles and cables, since they did not have faith in the executives. The reception for these NPP stand was massive.
Great caution needs to be exercised in commenting on the rebuilding of the Kejetia Blue Light Area. We have to go to the source, that is, Otumfuo to know who has “title” to the land. Is it the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly? Is it the Ghana Railway? If it is the latter, has the Railway leasehold expired? Politicians can do their “political talk” for example the Bawumia promise of assisting the traders to re-build the structures themselves. What, if the traders were there as “squatters”.
Some of the traders could be very stubborn. Remember the “problems” Nana Akwasi Agyeman had when he was mayor of Kumasi. Dubbed as “Okumkom” (killer of hunger) he became the mayor of Kumasi and remained as such for over 20 years (spanning Ignatius Kutu Acheampong’s times, 1977 till Hilla Limann’s short-lived administration 1979-1981 and the Jerry John Rawlings PNDC days (till he died on 14th January, 2020 at the age of 86.
Nana Akwasi had to marshal all available resources to get rid of traders who had crowded the Subin area and who defied every marching order to move Nana Akwasi had to defy all taunts and teases to “straighten” some of the recalcitrant traders. (Remember Salifu Amankwaa at Circle in Accra?)
The Regional Minister has revealed that he would consult Otumfuo over the land before commenting on whether the Government could rebuild the structure or allow the individuals to do so. It is just too early for anyone to take a clear position on this matter. We should learn the history and development of the area: Kaa-gyina-tia (a vehicle stops here for a while) granted to the Railway, especially for shunting (shifting from one line to another).
How “decent” would the place be if individuals were allowed to rebuild their own structures. Which agency will grant them permits to build. Do we see the place as a god-forsaken one to allow all kinds of ramshackle structures to be built, to give the place a dirty look, or we get planners to do proper demarcations with lanes and access – befitting the center of a city?
As for the Muntaka episode, the less said about it, the better. It may fit in with the politics of the day. “We will not take anything from the NDC” or “we will resist any attempt to entice us away from NPP”. Because of stiff-neckedness and recalcitrance some families starved for a number of days (and may still be starving).
And a woman was heard lamenting “won adwi me nkokonyinaaafra”. So, the woman was rearing fowls in the market! And the Regional Minister Dr. Amoakohene explains that a week’s notice was given before a bulldozer was despatched there. Elsewhere, we see pictures and footages of people patiently awaiting to receive handouts. It is common practice of agencies charged to manage disasters to get immediate relief for victims: someone says “yedesosoekomano” (this is meant as a first aid) not to feed hungry families for a year or more.
Worldwide, we have had fire disasters in several countries, including USA, Canada, Chile, Australia, and South Korea. This time round they were natural fire disasters at which at least 27 people died in the South Korea case, the harsh reality of global heating. Let us, Ghanaians, thank God for little mercies.
