On 25 March 2025, Ghanaians got a sneak peek at how fierce the race for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) 2028 flagbearer contest is going to be at the Adum fire site.
The NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was at the scene of the devastating fire outbreak, while Kennedy Agyapongs’s spokesperson Kwaku Amoh-Oarteh stated a group has been dispatched to the affected area to assess.
The two front runners to the NPP 2028 presidential candidate laid their flags for the flagbearer contest by empathising with the traders over the loss of their goods.
The blaze, which ravaged dozens of shops, left traders reeling from the loss of goods worth millions of Ghana cedis.
A two-story building housing several shops in the central business district of Adum in Kumasi caught fire.
The fire happened at the popular Blue Light arena, close to Hello FM.
Reports suggest the fire started around 6 am and spread rapidly as fire officers made attempts to contain the blaze.
Following Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s arrival at the Adum PZ market fire scene, market women in Kumasi were seen wailing and expressing deep regret for not coming out in large numbers to vote for him as president in the December 7, 2024 elections.
Dr Bawumia on the grounds of the devasting fire extended support to traders in Kumasi’s Adum area, who were affected by a fire on March 21, 2025, saying, “We have to wait for the investigation by the Ghana National Fire Service, and then we can determine the cause of the fire so that we can prevent it next time”.
“I am donating GH¢200,000 and 1,000 bags to the victims, and I urge private individuals to also support the traders in getting their livelihoods back,” he added.
The former vice president further called on John Mahama to expedite the completion of the Kejetia Central Market which according to him is 80 per cent completed.
Dr Bawumia added, “I also want to appeal to the government to complete Phase II of the Kejetia Central Market, which was about 80% complete at the time we left office. We believe that when it is completed, it is going to the traders here.
“I want to commend the efforts of the fire service personnel. They have done their best to contain the fire. I heard about two fire personnel who have been admitted to the hospital, we wish them a speedy recovery,” he stated.
Dr Bawumia was accompanied by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP Bernard Boasiako and the former Ashanti Region Minister Simon Osei-Mensah.
In contrast, Kennedy Agyapong’s team assured the victims of his commitment to providing support as they engaged with traders.
A statement issued by Kennedy Agyapong’s team stated, “As a businessman, he understands the immense effort required to build the long hours, the sacrifices, and the hopes for a better future. To see it all taken away in an instant is painful beyond words. He feels your pain and shares in your frustration”.
The statement further revealed Kennedy Agyapong would personally visit the market when he returned to Ghana to help the affected market person rebuild.
