The Kumasi City Market Traders Union has called on traders at the Kumasi Kejetia Market to remove paper ceilings from their shops, citing the practice as a major fire risk.

The directive follows a fire incident that gutted a shop within the facility earlier today.

Although the blaze was contained by the market’s on-site fire service team, union leadership indicated that the situation could have escalated significantly.

Chairman of the union, Johnson Ankrah, said the use of paper ceilings has been prohibited due to their highly flammable nature and their role in accelerating the spread of fire.

He also urged traders to report individuals who continue to sell banned substances within the market, stressing the need for collective responsibility in maintaining safety.

Mr Ankrah noted that while fire personnel remain on standby, adherence to safety protocols by traders is essential to preventing future incidents.