Ghana: Fire Razes Down Buipe Market ... Buipewura Calls for Immediate Govt Intervention

Buipe — The already deplorable Buipe Central Market narrowly escaped what could have been a devastating fire outbreak during the weekend, but for the timely intervention of personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in Buipe.

In spite of the swift intervention by the fire officers, over 20 stalls were still razed to the ground. The entire Buipe Central Market is full of wooden structures and roofed with thatched material. The Assistant Divisional Officer of the GNFS in the Central Gonja District, Eastward Paddy, told the media that the cause of the fire was not yet known, and that his outfit was investigating it.

According to him, there was no casualty, because the fire did not occur on a market day. The Fire Officer complained about the haphazard manner the Buipe Central Market was constructed, without any proper access roads in case of emergencies.

The Paramount Chief of Buipe, Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor II, after visiting the market to assess the extent of damage, appealed to the government to critically look at the deplorable state of the place and direct resources for its development to befit its status as one of the largest markets in the Northern Region.

The reconstruction of the market, he said, would enhance the economic activities of the people. The Buipe Market attracts traders from Kumasi, Techiman, Dormaa, Berekum, Sunyani, Krachi, Bimbilla, Yendi, Salaga, Makango, Tamale, Wa, Bolgatanga, Bawku, Navrongo and from almost all the regions of Ghana.

It is also patronised by traders from neighbouring Burkina Faso, Togo and Niger, who usually trade in cattle, goats, tomatoes and onions. According to him, the Buipe Market is by far the second largest market, after the Techiman market in the Brong Ahafo Region, and required the urgent attention of the government for upgrading.

Buipe is the gateway to the three Northern Regions and neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, and the market has become attractive to traders from these countries, because it offers them the opportunity to transport goods to and from the southern part of Ghana through the Volta Lake

The Buipe Market is strategically located between the main Kumasi-Burkina Faso trunk road and the Buipe Inland Port on the Black Volta. It is also the central point for all the fishing communities along the White and Black Volta rivers, as well as those along other major rivers, and even people from the coastal areas who come to do business.

Apart from fish, the market has a comparative advantage over the others, due to the large sale of cattle, goats, sheep and guinea fowls. The Buipe Market is also noted for the availability of large quantities of yams, groundnut, sorghum, soya bean, dawadawa, okra, pepper, tomatoes, watermelon and a host of other crops, fruits and vegetables.

The market also witnesses the display of different types of farm inputs, cooking utensils, electrical appliances, clothing, clothes, and other domestic items.

 However, the nature of the market leaves much to be desired especially during the rainy season, as most of the items, including tomatoes, pepper, onion, garden eggs, oranges, carrots, groundnut paste, palm oil and other perishable products are displayed openly on the muddy or dusty ground for buyers to purchase.

Source:allafrica.com

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