Shield Pension Trust, a Ghanaian-owned corporate trustee renowned for its top-notch retirement solutions across Africa, has stepped forward to aid the victims of the recent devastating fire at Kantamanto Market, one of Accra’s largest hubs for secondhand clothing.
On January 9, 2025, a delegation of the Shield Trust, spearheaded by its Managing Director Acheampomaah Opoku Afari, visited the market to assess the damage and offer support to the affected traders.
The fire, which broke out on January 1, 2025, destroyed numerous stalls and left many vendors without their livelihoods, prompting widespread calls for assistance.
To aid the recovery of losses, Shield Pension Trust provided essential supplies and financial support to help the traders bounce back to their feet.
The Shield Trust representatives also interacted with market leaders and traders to express the company’s solidarity and commitment to support in rebuilding the market stalls.
“We understand the hardships that come with such a disaster, and we are here to support you in rebuilding your businesses and recover your livelihood,” Madam Opoku Afari said.
She further emphasized the importance of community support in difficult times, adding, “We believe that by coming together, we can help restore hope and stability to those affected by this tragedy.”
The market leaders expressed their sincerest gratitude for the contributions and highlighted the need for collective efforts from private organizations and government bodies to expedite the recovery process.
This timely support underscored Shield Pension Trust’s commitment to customer-centric principles, community development and disaster relief, aligning with its broader goal of supporting vulnerable groups beyond its core pension management services.
The Kantamanto Market fire, which displaced hundreds of traders and destroyed millions of cedis worth of goods, has sparked ongoing recovery efforts from all stakeholders, including private organizations, NGOs, and government agencies.
However, contributions in silos might yield minimal impact, hence the call for collaboration on a comprehensive rebuilding plan that incorporates safety measures to prevent future incidents.
Despite the challenges, the Kantamanto market community has demonstrated remarkable resilience, vowing to restore the vibrant commercial hub to its former glory.
Shield Pension Trust is a leading corporate trustee dedicated to providing innovative retirement solutions across Africa. With a strong focus on social impact, the organization actively engages in community outreach programmes to support vulnerable groups and foster resilience in the face of adversity.
