On March 16th, 2023, a devastating fire broke out at the Kumasi Kejetia Market, and the Ashanti Regional Police Command has now confirmed that a 60-year-old woman named Felicia Opoku has been arrested as the alleged root cause of the incident. The Ghana National Fire Service reported the suspect to the police, leading to her arrest on March 21st.
Ms. Opoku, who is known for dealing in rubber mats, is currently in police custody and has not been granted bail. The Combined Traders Association at the Kejetia Market has not yet visited her.
Preliminary investigations by the Ghana National Fire Service, according to Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, who visited the market, found that the fire was caused by a shop owner who was cooking in her shop and sparked the disaster.
The Kejetia extension, which was affected by the fire, has been cordoned off to trading activities. Security personnel have been stationed in the area to protect it.