<<Print>>

The over 4,500 traders who lost their wares in market fires in Accra and Kumasi have been identified by government for support. These traders were selected from the four markets namely, Makola No 1 and 2, Kantamanto, and the Kumasi central market. About seven major markets were gutted by fire both in Accra and Kumasi destroying goods worth millions of Ghana Cedis. The cause of the fires which occurred within the last two months is yet to be established but about three persons are in the grips of the Police for allegedly causing some of the fires. According to a Deputy Minister of Information and Media Relations, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the figure will be subjected to further scrutiny to obtain the accurate number of affected traders. Addressing the media at the daily press briefing at the Flagstaff House, he said: �A list of victims grouped into categories in order to facilitate the disbursement of the grant can also be complied.� He mentioned that government has also determined the levels of grants for the various categories of affected persons and �the mode of payment has also been determined and the monies will be paid through banks and as I speak to you, our modalities of payment are being discussed with some banks in the country.�