Bawa Rock supports Obuasi Market fire victims with sewing machines, cash donations

An atmosphere of gratitude and renewed hope filled the forecourt of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly as Bawa Rock Company Limited donated sewing machines, equipment and cash to victims of the September 5 fire at the Obuasi Central Market.

The donation, aimed at helping affected dressmakers and traders rebuild their livelihoods, included 65 industrial sewing machines, 107 butterfly hand-operated sewing machines, three knitting machines and one embroidery machine.

In addition, each of the 65 master dressmakers received GH¢5,000, while the 107 affected apprentices received GH¢500. The 30 shop owners whose businesses were affected also received GH¢20,000 each.

Speaking on behalf of the company, its Sustainability Manager, Mr Eric Addai, expressed sympathy to the victims and assured them of the company's commitment to supporting their recovery.

He said the company was also willing to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to reconstruct the old town hall into a modern facility that would provide a conducive working environment for the affected dressmakers and traders.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Faustilove Appiah Kannin, thanked Bawa Rock for its swift intervention and appealed to other individuals, organisations and corporate bodies to support the victims in rebuilding their businesses.

She said the Assembly's immediate priority was to secure temporary trading spaces for the affected traders, while plans were underway with stakeholders to reconstruct the facility into a modernised centre in the medium term.

Some beneficiaries, visibly moved by the gesture, expressed gratitude to the company and the MCE for the assistance.

“God bless Bawa Rock, God bless Faustilove,” one beneficiary said.

Since the incident, the Obuasi Municipal office of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), led by its Coordinator, Madam Perpetual Koomson, has been registering affected persons and mobilising support to facilitate their recovery.

The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Saturday, September 5, 2026, affected the town hall, which housed nearly 100 dressmakers, as well as 30 surrounding shops. The facility had served the community for more than 75 years.

The blaze destroyed goods, equipment and cash worth millions of Ghana cedis, leaving many traders facing uncertainty over their livelihoods.

The cause of the fire is yet to be established by the relevant authorities. Since the incident, the MCE has been visiting the affected traders to console them and appeal for support to help them recover.