Traders at the Techiman Central Market in the Bono East Region are counting their losses after a devastating fire razed hundreds of shops and stores on the night of Sunday, January 12, 2025.

The inferno, which lasted over five hours, destroyed properties and personal belongings worth millions of cedis.

It took the combined efforts of personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in the Bono and Bono East regions to bring the blaze under control.

The hardest-hit areas include the Alaata section of the market, where traders dealing in local foodstuffs such as grains, yam, plantain, and assorted spices suffered heavy losses.

Others affected include sellers of traditional and herbal medicines, as well as traders in sacks, clothes, and chemicals.

The affected traders expressed shock and devastation over the incident and are urgently appealing for support to rebuild their livelihoods.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, as the Bono regional fire command has launched an investigation into the incident.

ADO1 Gyan Victor, the Bono East Public Relations Officer for the Ghana National Fire Service, shared preliminary details about the incident and assured the public of ongoing efforts to determine the fire’s origin and prevent future occurrences.

This tragic incident has left the Techiman Central Market community in mourning, with traders calling on authorities and benevolent organizations to extend a helping hand during this difficult time.