Slum dwellers at Afful Nkwanta in the Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region, whose wooden structures were destroyed by fire on Saturday, January 17, 2026, have begun reconstructing their homes.
According to the victims, they have nowhere else to live, prompting the decision to rebuild with the little resources available to them, despite not receiving authorization from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly or any other authority.
When Citi News visited the area on Monday, January 19, 2026, some of the 700 affected residents were busily reconstructing their wooden structures. They maintained that they would not back down, even if directed to halt the reconstruction.
The fire, which started at about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, swept through the community, destroying more than 300 wooden structures belonging to the slum dwellers.
In an interview with Citi News on Monday, the victims lamented that aside from their assembly member, no official from the assembly had visited the area since the incident.
They also expressed disappointment over the lack of support following the devastating fire.
“We can’t continue to sleep outside. There will be chaos if we have to wait for the authorities. We haven’t heard anything from the authorities, so our leaders made a decision that we start to reconstruct the wooden structures on our own.
“No official communication has been received yet; no authority has visited us, only the Assemblyman has visited us. If its election period, you would see lots of politicians visiting to give out cement, roofing sheets, and other goodies. We’re pleading with individuals and authorities to support us financially, we’re using the little money we have,” one of the affected victims said.
Another victim said, “I will start reconstruction maybe Tuesday or Wednesday. Mine will be different from the way my neighbours are reconstructing.”
