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The Mayor of Kumasi, Richard Ofori Boadi Agyemang, has expressed deep regret over the massive fire that ravaged the China City Mall at Santasi, causing the loss of goods and property worth millions of dollars.
The fire, which started on Thursday at the rear section of the building, spread rapidly through the complex, destroying several shops that dealt in groceries, electronics, and household goods. Eyewitnesses said the flames escalated so quickly that many traders were unable to salvage their merchandise.
Reacting to the incident, Mayor Agyemang described the situation as “deeply unfortunate,” noting the economic impact on investors and workers.
“It is unfortunate that we have lost millions of dollars out of this fire, and it is sad. The owners, I am told, are out of the country, but their workers and representatives are here. We will speak to the investors as early as possible, calm them, and offer the nation’s support,” he said.
He further emphasized the importance of maintaining investor confidence, noting that the mall employs hundreds of young people in Kumasi. “These are foreign nationals who have come to invest in our country. They employ hundreds of our youth, so we will do whatever we can to assist them to recover,” he added.
The mayor confirmed that there were no casualties, as all staff were successfully evacuated with the help of firefighters and bystanders.
“The fire department was able to evacuate all the staff. All the workers, with the help of bystanders, were able to evacuate. What we have is the losses that we have,” he explained.
China City Mall, which opened earlier this year, had quickly become a popular shopping destination for residents in Kumasi. The Ghana National Fire Service has since launched investigations to determine the cause of the blaze and to assess the full extent of the damage.
