Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Bans Sale of Explosives in Kumasi City Market

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has announced an immediate ban on the sale of explosive and highly inflammable materials within the Kumasi City Market and its surrounding areas.

In a public notice issued by the Assembly, management directed all dealers and traders dealing in hazardous substances to remove their stock from the central market and relocate to the Racecourse Market no later than Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Items Affected

The directive specifically targets the sale and storage of materials considered dangerous and highly combustible, including:

• Carbide
• Petrol (gasoline)
• Acid
• Gas cylinders
• Black powder
• Smokeless powder
• Other highly inflammable substances

According to the Assembly, the decision forms part of broader measures to prevent fire outbreaks and ensure public safety in the busy commercial hub.

Security Task Force to Enforce Directive

To ensure strict compliance, the KMA disclosed that a joint security task force will embark on inspections and enforcement operations within the market. The team will comprise personnel from:

• The Military
• The Fire Service
• The Police Service
• The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO)
• National Security

The task force is expected to conduct a “massive operation” to identify and take action against recalcitrant traders who fail to comply with the directive.

Protecting Lives and Property

Management of the Assembly emphasized that the move is aimed at safeguarding lives and protecting property from potential fire disasters, which have previously caused significant damage in major markets across the country.

Traders affected by the directive are therefore urged to comply within the stipulated timeframe to avoid sanctions.

Further updates are expected as enforcement begins in the coming days.