After Adum Market Fire, Amansie Rural Bank Leads Private Sector Support for Recovery

Adum Bluelight Market Traders Struggle to Rebuild After Fire, Cite Lack of Government Support

The aftermath of a devastating fire at the Adum Bluelight Market in Kumasi has left hundreds of traders in distress, with many expressing frustration over the lack of government intervention in their recovery efforts. Despite the massive losses, the traders are demonstrating resilience, vowing to rebuild the market on their own.

According to the Chairman of the United Traders Association, Joseph Bobie Ansah, the government has not taken any steps to support the reconstruction of the market. He stated that the traders have been left with no option but to take charge of the rebuilding process themselves.

“We will do it ourselves because the government won’t be able to complete the market for us on time. There are already a lot of markets uncompleted by the government, so as we’ve gained the clearance to go ahead and do it, we will,” Mr. Ansah said.

He assured affected shop owners that once the market is rebuilt, they will return to their original spaces. “No new people will be allowed to buy any space. It’s for the original traders,” he emphasized.

In the face of limited government assistance, the private sector has stepped up. Amansie Rural Bank PLC recently donated 100 bags of cement to aid in the reconstruction of the market. The donation forms part of the bank’s ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts and comes at a time when the traders need all the support they can get.

“It is something we’re doing and will continue doing because it’s part of us,” said Anna Adu-Gyamfi, Acting Head of Business Development and Relationship Banking at Amansie Rural Bank.

She highlighted the bank’s commitment to community development and encouraged traders and the general public to bank with institutions that demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility. Adu-Gyamfi pointed to the bank’s excellent customer service, range of financial products, and deep commitment to helping clients during times of crisis.

One of the market traders, Kwame Wiredu, shared his personal experience with the bank’s support after the fire incident. “They called me to ask for every detail and decided to help us, even though I owe the bank,” he recounted. Wiredu praised the bank’s compassionate response and urged fellow traders to bank with institutions that truly care about their clients’ well-being.

As reconstruction efforts continue, the traders remain hopeful and united in their goal to restore the Adum Bluelight Market. Their determination is evident in their actions, and with community support, they are steadily rebuilding both their businesses and livelihoods.

The Adum Bluelight Market, a key commercial hub in Kumasi, plays a crucial role in the local economy. The successful recovery of this market will not only benefit the traders but also restore economic activity in the region. However, the lack of timely government support continues to be a concern for stakeholders, underscoring the importance of public-private partnerships in disaster recovery.