GUTA Appeals to Government for Support in Wake of Makola Shopping Mall Fire

The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has issued a heartfelt plea to the government, seeking assistance for its members who have suffered substantial losses, estimated in the millions of cedis, in the aftermath of a recent fire incident at the Makola Shopping Mall.

On Friday night, a devastating fire engulfed the Makola Shopping Mall in Accra, resulting in the destruction of 200 makeshift structures within the market area. Thankfully, there were no reported casualties, although the exact cause of the fire remains unknown.

Joseph Tetteh-Pardi, Director of Communication for GUTA, conveyed the urgency of the situation during the Association’s visit to the market on Monday to assess the extent of the damage. He stated, “The fire outbreak has caused them so much. Most of them have lost their capital, with losses exceeding GH¢200,000 and more. As a matter of utmost urgency, we are appealing to the government to extend a helping hand to those affected.”

Furthermore, Mr. Tetteh-Pardi emphasized the importance of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) coming forward to provide support. He noted, “AMA should also come on board to assess the situation and determine what measures can be taken to assist these affected traders. We are on the ground to obtain firsthand information and assess the level of damage, so we can determine the appropriate measures to aid them during this challenging time.”

The call from GUTA reflects the dire need for immediate assistance for traders who have suffered significant setbacks in the aftermath of the Makola Shopping Mall fire, underlining the importance of a coordinated response to support those affected by the incident.