By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY, Sekondi
The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has ordered the immediate suspension of all commercial activities and evacuation of traders operating at the Food Market and surrounding areas of the Albert Bosomtwi-Sam Fishing Harbour in Sekondi following a fire outbreak that destroyed a premix fuel station and several properties.
The directive comes after a blaze at the fishing harbour on Sunday, June 21, 2026 damaged sections of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority’s (GPHA) administration block, offices and ice storage rooms, while destroying two vehicles, three handcarts and several makeshift structures.
Preliminary investigations by the Ghana National Fire Service indicate that heavy rainfall contributed to the incident after vegetation and portions of a slope around the premix fuel dump collapsed, triggering a mudslide that brought down a nearby electricity pole.
According to the Fire Safety Officer at the harbour, DCFO Jimmy Nab Daisie, the fallen pole landed between premix fuel tanks, generating sparks that ignited a fire which rapidly spread through the facility.
The fire, which started at about 6:00 p.m. and lasted for nearly two hours, threatened critical infrastructure within the harbour enclave and raised concerns over the safety of ongoing commercial activities in the area.
Five fire tenders from the Ghana National Fire Service, the Port of Takoradi and the Ghana Air Force, with support from fisherfolk, battled the blaze before bringing it under control.
Speaking to journalists, Divisional Officer One (DOI) Emmanuel Bonney of the Western Regional Fire Command said firefighters prioritised preventing the flames from reaching a nearby coastal fuel tank, which could have triggered a much larger disaster.
He explained that heavy rainfall worsened the situation as fuel spread through water-filled gutters toward the tank.
“The fuel was flowing on top of the water, with the fire spreading toward the fuel tank. We had to act quickly to contain it and stop the fire from spreading,” he said.
He said firefighters successfully prevented the coastal fuel tank from catching fire and managed to save most of the GPHA administration block from destruction, although the rear section of the building was affected.
He confirmed that no casualties were recorded and noted that investigations have commenced to establish the exact cause of the incident and assess the full extent of the damage.
On Monday, June 22, 2026, Mr. Nelson, accompanied by Essikado Omanhene Nana Kobina Nketsia V and officials of the Port of Takoradi, toured the scene to assess the damage and review safety conditions within the harbour.
The inspection team observed that portions of vegetation and weakened slopes overlooking sections of the fishing harbour remained unstable and posed a significant risk of further collapse, particularly during heavy rains.
Consequently, the minister directed that all commercial activities at the Food Market and adjoining areas be suspended immediately, with traders and other occupants required to vacate the affected zone as a precautionary measure.
Director of the Port of Takoradi, Captain James Richard Quayson, disclosed that management had on several occasions attempted to halt and relocate premix fuel activities from active operational areas of the fishing harbour but those efforts had not been successful.
He stressed the need for urgent measures to address safety concerns associated with the continued operation of fuel storage facilities within busy sections of the harbour.
At the time of filing this report, public announcements were being made to inform traders and other occupants of the evacuation order as authorities worked to secure the area and prevent any further incidents.
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