A Closer Look at New Safety Rules for Kantamanto Market

Following the catastrophic fire that engulfed much of Kantamanto Market on January 1, 2025, destroying thousands of stalls and affecting over 30,000 livelihoods, the market officially reopened in late August. This reopening comes with a sweeping array of safety and structural enhancements that have been implemented to prevent a repeat of that tragedy.

Organizational Unity Under KOBA.

At the reopening ceremony, the newly established Kantamanto Obroniwawu Businesses Association (KOBA) took centre stage as the unified voice of all traders. Comprising representatives from all 13 sections of the market, ranging from secondhand clothing vendors to tailors and hairdressers, KOBA’s launch marked a pivotal shift toward cohesive market governance and safety oversight.

Structural and Safety Upgrades

In partnership with The Or Foundation and other stakeholders, KOBA has rolled out a multi-pronged safety overhaul:

Fire Safety: Over 1,000 fire extinguishers have been strategically installed across the market. Trained fire wardens are now stationed throughout to ensure protocols are followed.
Electrical Upgrades: The market now utilises safe, standardised electrical systems instead of the previously used, risky, makeshift connections.
Security & Protocols: A strict ban on overnight stays has been imposed, reducing the risk of fire at night. Security teams have also been deployed to enforce these rules.

Substantial Investment and Relief Support

The Or Foundation has committed GHS 825,000 Ghanaian cedis (approximately USD 75,000) to help launch KOBA’s operations and fund market rebuilding. In addition, more than USD 3 million has already been distributed as direct relief, supporting healthcare access, new stall construction, and security measures.

According to another report, over GHS 35 million (about USD 2.75 million) has been designated for emergency recovery efforts. This includes funds for rebuilding electrical systems, advancing fire safety training, and improving market security.

A Safer, More Organised Future

Amid broken stalls and devastated livelihoods, KOBA’s formation is seen as a transformative step. Traders now have a shared platform and leadership, which strengthens not just safety initiatives but also revenue compliance and sanitation systems, as highlighted by Accra’s Mayor.

Looking Ahead

With extensive safety installations, better infrastructure, and unified leadership, the market is poised for a safer rebirth. Yet challenges remain, rebuilding continues, trader insurance frameworks are being introduced, and efforts toward proper waste management and cleaner market operations are underway.

As one trader remarked earlier in 2025:

“We now want to rebuild in concrete, so that fire isn't such a risk.”

This rebuilding isn’t just about physical infrastructure; it's about transforming Kantamanto into a resilient and sustainable marketplace that safeguards those who depend on it the most.

Quick Recap: Recent Safety Measures at Kantamanto Market


KOBA formation	Unified trader body representing all market sections
Fire safety	1,000+ extinguishers, trained wardens, fire protocols
Electric system overhaul	Safe re-electrification across the market
Security measures	No overnight stays, trained security teams
Funding & relief	GHS 825k initial grant; >USD 3M in support; GHS 35M recovery investments
Forward planning	Focus on durable structures, sanitation, insurance, and effective governance