As part of the regional Operation Stop the Fire Disaster (#OSFiD) campaign, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Directorate of the Adansi South District Assembly conducted an intensive educational and monitoring exercise at the New Edubiase Central Market.
The target-driven field operation aimed to inspect commercial premises, educate traders on fire hazards, and enforce safety compliance to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and market infrastructure against market fires.
Excerpts and Key Findings of OSFiD Market Operations
During the inspection and monitoring drive, the NADMO operational team engaged stall owners, market women, and commercial operators across major sections of the New Edubiase Market. Key activities and observations included:
-
Mitigating Market Cooking Risks: Officers identified and sensitized traders on the extreme risks associated with cooking inside market sheds using open coal pots and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders. Traders were cautioned against these practices and educated on safe food-heating protocols outside enclosed trading structures.
-
Electrical Safety & Wiring Inspections: The team inspected power connections across market stalls, advising shop owners against illegal electrical tapping, overloaded extension sockets, and exposed or substandard wiring—which remain primary triggers for commercial fire outbreaks.
-
Assessment of Emergency Pathways & Fire Extinguishers: NADMO officials evaluated market access routes to ensure emergency vehicles (Ghana National Fire Service) can navigate freely during an incident. Traders were also educated on acquiring, maintaining, and operating standard fire extinguishers.
-
Direct Trader Engagement: Operational teams carried out shed-to-shed talks, distributing fire safety guidance and answering queries from market executives and local trade associations.
Statement from NADMO Directorate
Highlighting the mandate of the OSFiD exercise, the District NADMO Directorate emphasized proactive enforcement:
“Market fires cause devastating economic loss to families and the local economy. Through our #OSFiD operations, we are moving beyond basic awareness to active monitoring. Fire prevention in the New Edubiase Market is a collective responsibility, and every trader must maintain a safe workspace.”
Mandatory Directives for New Edubiase Market Traders
-
Zero Unsafe Fire Use: Cease unmonitored cooking with open fires, coal pots, or gas cylinders within market stalls and enclosed sheds.
-
Socket & Appliance Protocol: Always turn off and disconnect main power switches and electrical appliances before closing shop for the day.
-
Clear Access Paths: Keep market walkways, alleys, and drainage paths free of spillover merchandise to allow clear passage during emergencies.
Issued By:
National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO)
Adansi South District Assembly, New Edubiase
Distributed Through:
District Information Technology & Public Relations Unit
Education and monitoring activities at New Edubiase Market