Fire risk communication in the urban informal sector: Evidence from traditional marketplaces in Accra, Ghana

Urban marketplace fires in Ghana are chronic, devasting economic losses and disproportionately impacting informal sector workers. Yet, the scholarly works on urban disasters have focused hydrometeorological other man-made to neglect of fires, particularly challenges risk communication between emergency management agencies In seeking extend emerging but scant work Ghana, this paper analysed fire understand how socio-cultural factors influence perceptions protective behavioral strategies traders two traditional marketplaces Accra. In-depth interviews with both public showed that traders’ social networks interactions important sources channels for communication, albeit unharnessed by formal agencies. It also revealed cultural elements such as religious beliefs about risks affect proactiveness preparedness response. To ensure effective calls attention mainstreaming aspects everyday life into disaster planning management. 加纳的城市集市火灾长期存在，造成经济损失并对非正式部门员工产生严重影响。不过，关于城市灾害的学术研究聚焦于水文气象灾害和其他人为灾害，忽视了集市火灾，特别是应急管理机构和城市集市员工之间的风险传播挑战。为了扩展关于加纳城市集市火灾的新兴研究，本文分析了火灾风险传播，以了解社会文化因素如何影响阿克拉两个传统城市集市中商人的看法和保护性行为策略。对公共机构和商人的深度访谈表明，商人的社交网络和互动是火灾风险传播的重要来源和渠道，尽管这不受正式应急管理机构的控制。本文还揭示了诸如关于火灾风险的宗教信仰等文化因素如何影响火灾风险准备和响应中的主动性。为了确保有效的集市火灾风险传播，本文呼吁关注集市日常生活的社会文化方面并使其成为灾害风险规划和管理的主流观点。 Los incendios de mercados urbanos en son crónicos, devastadores pérdidas económicas y afectando manera desproporcionada a los trabajadores del informal. Sin embargo, trabajos académicos sobre desastres se han centrado hidrometeorológicos otros provocados por el hombre, dejando lado mercados, particular desafíos la comunicación riesgos entre las agencias gestión emergencias mercado urbano. Con objetivo extender trabajo emergente pero escaso este documento analizó riesgo para comprender cómo factores socioculturales influyen percepciones estrategias comportamiento protector comerciantes dos tradicionales Las entrevistas profundidad con públicas mostraron que redes sociales interacciones fuentes canales importantes incendio, aunque no aprovechan formales emergencias. También reveló elementos culturales, como creencias religiosas afectan proactividad preparación respuesta al incendio. Para garantizar una eficaz llama atención aspectos vida cotidiana integra planificación desastres. A scene dark clouds smoke rising, burning properties wailing women crowds gather shock, count their loss sound sirens mute cacophony market confusion, security personnel arrive, service race against time. The affected look above prayerful gaze, agitations soar who seem promise never deliver while others cry politicians government help—a typical Accra shows destruction not mere livelihoods. Marketplace detrimental vitality since spaces strong identities intersect (Asante & Helbrecht, 2019). Indeed, Ghanaian marketplace, known its lively congestion bustling life, natural clustering customers (e.g., stalls, along streets, commuter buses) represent, arguably, strongest spatial manifestation economy (Acheampong, 2019; Boamah et al., 2020). Moreover, 80% Ghana's workforce operates sector, where less-regulated constitute significant component (Ghana Statistical Service, 2013)—with far-reaching implications economy, governance, resilience 2020; Obeng-Odoom, 2011). Disruptive they been, received literature relative (Amoako 2021; National Disaster Management Organization, 2010; Oteng-Ababio 2015). Sarpong (2015) show 2000 2009, an average 2662 occurred nationally, 599 Accra, capital. Since 2010, increased impacts (Addai 2016). paucity evidence persists despite fact mostly without insurance constantly fighting precarity inequalities—a reality complicated ongoing COVID-19 (Akuoko Avenyo Unfortunately, relatively inadequate is confined academic discourse. policy arena, studies local governments failed plan integrate reduction Owusu-Sekyere 2017). Also, rapid urbanisation, weaknesses policy, lack regulation management, corruption, illegal electrical connections, negligence explain perennial Additionally, institutional tendency perceive commercial “minor risk” thus sacrifice opportunity responses competing development needs appears engender marginalisation those (Okyere 2022). Subsequently, some scholars assert implicitly operate assumption memory erodes quickly among vulnerable populations (Oteng-Ababio Sarpong, Fortunately, few empirically rooted stream research sheds light problem (Aboagye 2018; Aning-Agyei, For instance, used Community-Based Risk Assessment tool analyse coping Makola found capital be crucial resource mitigating risks. authorities downplay potential resources. Aning-Agyei (2018) postdisaster recovery three major (Kantamanto, Makola, Kumasi Central) concluded location stalls exacerbates psychological taking more than 3 years. Stakeholder geospatial analysis shown outbreak entwined ethos poor weak collaboration exist within Oteng-Ababio, Generally, these insightful tie broader significance dimensions (Abunyewah 2019, Erdiaw-Kwasie Meyer, Monteil apparent sociological turn (Tierney, 2019) understanding has adequately explored can inform better (Giddens Sutton, Norman Clearly, stands at odds critical devising appropriate preventing managing Fatemi McMakin Lundgren, Petrun, 2009). Therefore, extends current emphasising underpin communication. remainder presents conceptual framework, then approach, study results, discussion, finally, conclusion. aspect process, occurring every phase: mitigation prevention, preparedness, response, Fathollahzadeh Historically, been one-way transfer information from public. However, recent times, concept shifted interactive process involving exchange individuals, groups, organisations (Höppner 2012; Khan Mishra, approach inhibited agency-community trust building, leading failure goals. Such fails provide accurate up-to-date public, create awareness risks, context-specific actions motivate initiatives Attems Kopacz Providing timely generally should improve past decades, increases dissemination campaigns yet result enhanced response global, regional, community levels United Nations Office Reduction [UNDRR], According UNDRR (2019), many programs activities achieve intended purpose due misconceptions inability communicators tune message recipients’ perception positively respond warnings undertake actions. Studies people low-risk likely ignore communicated messages compared high-risk (Karasneh 2021). experience relationship striking heterogeneity. direct reinforces precautionary (Siegrist Gutscher, 2008), indirect may trigger (Wachinger 2013). Elsewhere, positive predictor (Liu Yang, Siegrist, sometimes leads underestimation protection responsibility leaders (Botzen example, Sly (2000) relationships substantial impact perception. Siegrist (2021) elaborated finding conclude good communities builds trust, which Risk, however, socially constructed culturally specific (Bankoff, 2003) hence, underscores role play interpretation or risk. argued giving less recognition priority culture lead perception, ineffective consequently, inhibit (Warner Engel, 2014). Here, uphold prioritization human-environment 2003; Kapucu, 2008; Krüger 2015; Mercer Warner From view, refers knowledge disaster, values, norms, language, beliefs, techniques, networks, artefacts help individuals mitigate, prepare recover (Engel 2014; Giddens Practically, reveals practices enacted actors preventing, responding, managing, cultures hardly universal, given different geographies hazards diversity threaten groups. This localised reading grounded subcultures, entail adaptive groups existing Weller Wenger, 1973, 1978). ancient Mesopotamian context flood disasters, Weintritt (2009, p. 178) “culture catastrophe,” denotes enables learn lessons develop interaction engagement challenges. context, religion noteworthy. p.177), extreme events were apparently treated “matter-of-fact” officials Ancient Baghdad, immediately after occurred, religiously interpreted “sign divine power.” Intriguingly, god-factor was strongly upheld when effectively managed controlled. Thus, gift implied need capacities manage rather focus negative outcomes. Philippines, Bankoff pp. 265–66) frequent experiences led normalisation emergent subcultures considered “frequent experience” curated collectively locals. combination prayers collective cultures. Nonetheless, indicates it uncommon contradictory generate “clash beliefs” systems (Tasantab 2020, 631). Building earlier subculture proponents 1973), Engel al. (2014) identify knowledge, technology, socialisation, inter–intra organisation main culture. They capture flows interpretative typify groups’ behaviors predominantly settings. Drawing foregoing, sources, medium, agency integrating (Figure 1) avenues working settings enhance behaviors. Fire hazard continues strike regularly brings devastating toll property human lives, across landscape Ghana. last decade, day passed hearing news outlets parts Most occurrences (markets), domestic, industrial, areas review reports demonstrate faulty wiring misuse gadgets, power fluctuations, accidents through use naked frames lighting devices, smoking, ignorance 2016; Boateng, 2013) causes outbreaks These underscore strengthen institutions Organisation (NADMO) NADMO established mandated Act 517 1996 similar emergencies draws strategic partners grassroots during emergencies. With decentralized representation national, district (National Organisation, 2005), coordinates all serves frontline agent Service (GNFS) reduce GNFS 1963 reestablished 537 1997 support undesired prevention Rescue Other stakeholders, agencies, Environmental Protection Agency, Health Ambulance vital roles An intrinsic Platform Climate Change Adaptation, commonly referred “national platform” instituted levels. national platform multi-sectoral multi-stakeholder undertakes vulnerability assessment profile fire-prone develops reduction. ensures relevant decisions obtained shared stakeholders like countries Sub-Saharan Africa, governance Poor just barrier predominant cause increasing (Global Facility Recovery World Bank, Development Programme, 2004). implementation policies often stems unclear arrangements capacity While key (United Reduction, 2007), remains one barriers lagging (Norman 2015) appear isolated civil societies, NGOs, communities, (The Centre Systems Policy Research, Furthermore, acquired properly risk—depriving them valuable necessary build Oftentimes, always come party event stage most possible ways suppress 2015), thereby neglecting pre- post-event When processes focussed mainly stage, initiated incident frequently get desired geographically situated Accra—Ghana's city. establishment British Gold Coast 1877, become administrative centre. city experienced growth, fastest-growing cities West Africa. city's growth intense urbanisation manifest 60% residents earn living (Grant Nijman, Within Accra's constitutes geographic constellation services food processors, repairers, etc.) micro-manufacturing textile garments), dominated (Osei-Boateng Ampratwum, Even boom upscale shopping malls city, maintains dominance hub households retailers neighboring Togo, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso Yankson, 2003). spite long history immense contribution livelihoods (Robertson, 1983), conditions widely precarious spectrum including remain widespread country, especially metropolises owing planning. illustrate point, we present official data spanning 7 years general trend Data 2010 2016 114% increase cases n 2016. total 48 lives lost 42 persons injured. Overall, provides suitable setting reasons: (i) ubiquitous distribution socioeconomic relevance (ii) spaces. After all, chronic governance. based Greater Metropolitan area. selecting markets, follows notion there differences way experience, such, identical allows comparison markets terms scale activity, sphere clientele base, developed. metropolis because large size, regional influence, political-economic history. 1924 centre wholesale retail trade activities. Nicknamed “queen markets” 1983, 469), epitomised strength marketplace. Over time, grown, inhabiting 35,000 hawkers unregulated manner. uncontrolled pose hazards. On hand, Nima smaller lower influence. Geographically, located heart Nima. inextricably linked settlement dates back far 1836 developed dormitory Hausa merchants came Nigeria trading slum emerged partly delay settlement's incorporation Municipal boundary colonial period (Agyei-Mensah Owusu, 2010). though efforts made replan part redevelopment scheme 1976, materialised. unplanned nature activities, markets. characterised rented stores open space latter being visible. market's haphazard out control, creating expose case design adopted interpreting personal phenomenon (Yin, Adopting enabled team deploy qualitative methods view research's explorative character objective behavior Tierney (2019) noted occurs Hence, allowed us contexts unearth amplification. commenced shape disaster-prone Apart published articles, reports, Acts Parliament, profiles produced international, provided overview challenges, Field collection conducted following clear gap. ensured continuous theoretical underpinnings collected Semi-structured 35 informants institutions, managers, union executives, (Table 1). final sample size informed principle saturation studies—the point further do yield any additional insights relation questions (Saunders 2018). Institutions contacted Table 1. purposely selected document either witnessed decade hence possessed first-hand Traders managers executives. included strategy, resources, channel (before, during, fires), information. interview topics traders, information, risk-related state institutions. All interviewees briefed study, method, data. Only gave full consent interviewed. English languages depending interviewee's preference. lasted 30 min audio recorded. transcribed using thematic content analysis—which unearths (Bryman, followed six-step benchmark trustworthiness (Braun Clarke, 2006). Step 1 familiarisation: authors reviewed transcripts reflecting thinking perspective analytical framework. components framework 1), elements, “signposts” identifying related words phrases (codes) initial codes categorised under each Figure “radio” “market leaders” coded Similarly, “God protecting us” “spiritual matter” connected Next, descriptive understandings transcripts: debriefing coding fire, radio, agency, prayer, etc.). 3, triangulated comparing (similarities differences) searching themes subthemes, hierarchies. 4 continued members, vetting, ascertaining accuracy referring original codes. 5 defined finalized source belief, interaction, Finally, step 6 entailed producing report. purposes analysis, thematically presented hermeneutic sensemaking form narratives short quotes. Informed structured channels, interactions, trader characteristics, perceptions. “focused” explicate cultures, consequent marketplaces. …seeking reporting arduous