“Stop Blaming the NDC” — Zabzugu MP Fires Back at Political Narratives Over Market Fire

By Issifu Alidu Laa-Bandow Last updated Jun 22, 2026

Months after the devastating fire that swept through the Zabzugu Yam Market, destroying businesses and livelihoods, a new battle has emerged—not against flames, but against what some describe as an attempt to politicize the tragedy.
From the immediate aftermath of the February 23 disaster, narratives began circulating in certain quarters seeking to link the market fire to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration. The claims quickly gained attention, with some individuals using the unfortunate incident as an opportunity to score political points and assign blame.
But the Member of Parliament for Zabzugu Constituency, Hon. Umar Alhassan Abaako, has firmly rejected such assertions, describing them as false, misleading, and politically motivated.
Speaking during the disbursement of GH¢250,000 to victims of the fire outbreak, the MP did not mince words. He cautioned residents against turning a humanitarian disaster into a partisan contest, insisting that the focus should remain on supporting affected traders rather than manufacturing political accusations.
For Hon. Abaako, the tragedy is about ordinary men and women whose businesses and sources of income were reduced to ashes, not about advancing political agendas.
His remarks appear to be a direct response to growing attempts to associate the fire with the NDC government, a narrative that has generated debate within the constituency and beyond. While some have continued to push the allegations, the MP maintains that there is no basis for such claims and that politicizing the suffering of victims only distracts from the real task of rebuilding lives.
The MP’s intervention has reignited discussions about the increasing tendency to interpret local disasters through partisan lenses. In a political environment where nearly every major event becomes a subject of political contestation, the Zabzugu market fire has become the latest example of how tragedy can quickly evolve into a battleground of competing narratives.
Yet amid the controversy, Hon. Abaako says his priority has remained unchanged: supporting the victims.
Following the fire outbreak, he launched a support fund with an initial contribution of GH¢100,000. Through additional contributions from individuals and organizations, the fund eventually grew to GH¢250,000, which has now been distributed to affected traders to help them restart their businesses.
Beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the intervention, describing it as a significant step toward restoring their livelihoods.
Beyond the immediate relief, the MP also announced plans aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future, including efforts to establish a Ghana National Fire Service station in Zabzugu to improve emergency response and fire prevention measures.
But while traders begin the difficult task of rebuilding, one message from the MP remains clear: the market fire should not be used as a weapon in political battles. According to him, the people of Zabzugu need recovery, solidarity, and solutions—not accusations, propaganda, and partisan blame games.
The fire may have destroyed structures, but Hon. Abaako appears determined not to allow it to consume the truth as well.