Adum fire: Muntaka presented 'rejected' items on our behalf - NADMO

Published 3 days ago• 2 minute read

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has clarified that the relief items presented to victims of the Adum fire outbreak were donated by the outfit and handed over by the Interior Minister on their behalf.

This clarification follows reports that some fire victims rejected food items presented by Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak on Wednesday, March 26. In a viral video, some traders were seen jeering at the minister and chanting, “We don’t want rice.”

Addressing the media in Kumasi, on Thursday, March 27, NADMO Director-General, Major (Rtd) Dr. Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon, explained that since NADMO operates under the Interior Ministry, it was appropriate for the Interior Minister—who hails from the region and has its best interests at heart—to make the presentation on NADMO’s behalf.

He emphasized that while the government and relevant authorities work towards restoring traders to their normal business activities, NADMO’s intervention was meant to provide immediate relief to the most vulnerable victims struggling to feed themselves due to the disaster.

“Our coming here on Wednesday, March 26, was this initial reaction from NADMO, NADMO comes under the Interior Ministry. The minister came to back us with his presence on Wednesday. The impression is that the Minister came to donate food items. The minister came in the name of NADMO,” he explained.

Dr. Kuyon urged affected traders to remain calm as authorities assessed the situation and worked on plans to restore their livelihoods.

He also called for greater involvement of disaster management authorities in key infrastructural projects and the issuance of building permits to prevent future incidents.

Meanwhile, the Interim Executives of the BlueLight Traders Association of Adum Market have issued a letter apologizing for the actions of some of their members toward the Interior Minister during his visit.

The fire, which occurred on Friday, March 21, destroyed numerous shops and livelihoods, leaving many traders desperate for substantial support to rebuild.