Kumasi Mayor Hon Richard Ofori-Agyemang Commiserates with Victims of China City Mall Fire at Santasi Star Junction

The Mayor of Kumasi, Hon. Richard Ofori-Agyeman, has expressed his deepest sympathy to traders, shop owners, and all individuals affected by the devastating fire that gutted the China City Mall located at Santasi Star Junction in the early hours of Friday, October 31, 2025.

In a heartfelt message, the Mayor described the incident as a tragic and unfortunate occurrence that has brought untold hardship to many business owners and workers who depend on the facility for their daily livelihood. He assured the affected persons of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly’s (KMA) unwavering support as emergency services continue to work tirelessly to contain the situation and safeguard lives and properties.

“The entire Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly stands with the victims of this heartbreaking incident. My deepest sympathy goes to all those who have lost their properties and investments in the China City Mall fire. I also commend the gallant personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and the Ghana Police Service who are still on the ground ensuring that lives and properties are protected,” Hon. Ofori-Agyeman stated.

He further disclosed that fire officers and other security agencies were still at the scene hours after the incident was first reported, working under intense conditions to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures and to bring the blaze fully under control. The Mayor noted that initial reports indicated the fire started in the early hours of dawn, spreading rapidly through several sections of the China City complex, which houses various retail outlets and wholesale shops.

Hon. Ofori-Agyeman assured residents and business owners that the appropriate technical and investigative teams will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the actual cause of the fire outbreak. He emphasized that the Assembly will collaborate closely with the Ghana National Fire Service and other relevant bodies to ensure that the findings of the investigation lead to strong preventive measures.

“The needed assessments will be carried out to ascertain the cause of this unfortunate incident. As a city authority, we will take every rightful measure to prevent the recurrence of such disasters in Kumasi. Our priority remains the safety of our people and the protection of livelihoods,” he assured.

Eyewitnesses and some shop attendants reported that thick plumes of smoke could be seen billowing into the sky from a distance as firefighters battled the inferno for several hours. Several shops, stocked with imported goods, were completely destroyed by the flames, resulting in huge financial losses for many business owners.

Meanwhile, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly has activated its emergency response unit to coordinate relief efforts and assess the full extent of damage caused by the fire. Officials from NADMO have also been deployed to the scene to provide preliminary support and to document the affected persons for possible assistance.

The Mayor reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing fire safety compliance across all major markets and commercial facilities within the metropolis. He called on traders, property owners, and facility managers to strictly adhere to safety protocols, including regular fire audits and the installation of emergency systems.

As investigations continue, the atmosphere around the Santase Star Junction remains tense, with many onlookers and traders expressing grief over the loss of their businesses. However, Hon. Richard Ofori-Agyeman assured the public that Kumasi will rise stronger from this tragedy through unity, responsibility, and swift government intervention.

He concluded by urging residents to remain calm and cooperative as authorities work diligently to restore normalcy and prevent future occurrences of such devastating incidents.