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‘Declare June 3 as National Burns awareness Day’
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Survivors and families of victims of the June 3 flood and fire disaster on Wednesday renewed the call for justice and compensation, expressing concern over what they described as an 11-year delay in holding responsible institutions accountable for one of Ghana’s worst tragedies.
At a press briefing in Accra to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the disaster, the Convener of the OneGhana Movement, Mr Senyo Hosi, said many victims continued to suffer physical, emotional and economic hardships while the legal process remained unresolved.
The June 3, 2015 disaster occurred when heavy flooding in Accra combined with an explosion at a fuel station, resulting in the deaths of more than 150 people and injuries to over 200 others.
Mr Hosi stated that the tragedy was preventable and blamed both public institutions and private entities for failing to exercise their duty of care.
According to him, evidence presented during court proceedings showed that stronger regulation and enforcement of safety standards could have prevented the disaster.
He noted that witnesses from GOIL and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) had admitted during cross-examination that the incident could have been avoided through effective oversight and compliance with safety requirements.
Mr Hosi also criticised the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), accusing it of failing to enforce planning and safety regulations and displaying inconsistency during the legal proceedings.
He called on President John Dramani Mahama to ensure that the government’s ‘Resetting Ghana’ agenda addressed the concerns of the June 3 victims.
Mr Hosi stressed that national development and prosperity should not overlook the needs of vulnerable citizens who continued to bear the consequences of the disaster.
Providing an update on the legal case, lawyer for the victims, Mr Etornam Caleb Afutu, said the lawsuit filed in 2018 on behalf of 69 victims had entered its final stages after years of litigation.
He explained that the plaintiffs were seeking GH¢14 million in damages from GOIL, the NPA and the AMA for alleged negligence that resulted in loss of life, permanent disabilities and destruction of property.
Mr Afutu disclosed that the case against the fuel station dealer, Mr Tom Sinobinyanane, had been discontinued following his death.
He said seven victims had testified before the court, while witnesses for GOIL and the NPA had completed their evidence. The witness for the AMA was currently giving testimony.
Mr Afutu indicated that the court had scheduled further hearings for June 15 and June 18, and expressed confidence that the matter would be concluded before the end of the year, including subject to the completion of cross-examinations and the filing of written submissions.
The Chairman of the June 3 Victims Association, Mr Thomas Sakyi, said many survivors continued to struggle to rebuild their lives.
He explained that some victims had suffered permanent injuries, including hearing loss and other disabilities, while others had lost businesses, homes and sources of livelihood.
Mr Sakyi said the victims remained hopeful that justice would finally be served and that compensation would help restore dignity and provide relief to those affected by the disaster.
The victims appealed to the state and relevant institutions to ensure that similar tragedies were prevented through stronger regulation, effective enforcement of safety standards and accountability.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
A Chevrolet Cruze was destroyed by fire at La Town Park in Accra on Friday, August 1, 2026, but no injuries were recorded.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) said firefighters from the Trade Fair Fire Station responded to an emergency call about the incident at the La Town Park area near McDan.
According to the Greater Accra Regional Public Relations Office of the GNFS, the distress call was received at 8:31 a.m., and firefighters arrived at the scene at 8:39 a.m. to begin containment operations.
The Service said the fire was brought under control within 10 minutes through what it described as swift intervention and tactical operations. This prevented the flames from spreading to nearby structures and surrounding areas.
However, the vehicle involved was completely burnt.
“No casualties or injuries were sustained during the incident,” the GNFS stated.
The Fire Service advised drivers to carry out regular safety checks on their vehicles and keep a functional fire extinguisher in their cars to help deal with unexpected fire outbreaks.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
ProofreadChildren exposed to arts, culture early develops strong intellectual, communication skills – Acting E/R CNC Director
Toddlers from various kindergarten schools in the Eastern Region on Tuesday thrilled patrons with impressive cultural performances at this year’s Kindergarten festival organised by the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in Koforidua.
The children from the participating schools recited poetry, staged drama performances and performed a variety of traditional dances, including Kete, Kpatse, Borborbor and Apatampa, under the theme: ‘Little Stars: Celebrating Our Culture for Future Impact.’
Participating schools included Love Community Kindergarten, Koforidua Grammar School, Solomon School, Charles Wesley Academy, Unique Kiddie Care, Alpha Hills School, Assemblies of God Kindergarten, Brentford Academy, Liberty Academy, Berlin Academy, Bolders Journey School and New Dawn School.
The Acting Eastern Regional Director of the CNC, Dr Salamatu Alhassan, said research had shown that children exposed to arts and culture from an early age developed strong intellectual and communication skills.
“These toddlers participating in this festival have the potential to be ahead of their peers because training in arts and culture broadens their minds and enhances their intelligence.
Dr Alhassan said, considering the numerous benefits of arts and cultural education, it was important to nurture children from an early age to become future ambassadors of Ghana’s rich cultural heritage and contributors to the country’s creative economy.
She said the CNC was mandated to promote Ghana’s arts and culture and assured that such festivals would continue to be organised regularly to provide more children with opportunities to develop their talents.
Dr Alhassan encouraged parents and teachers to support children to participate in cultural festivals and related activities to help build their confidence, creativity and appreciation of Ghanaian culture.
The Eastern Regional Director of the Department of Children, Mr Emmanuel Nana Osei, said exposing young children to Ghanaian culture through such festivals was essential because it helped them develop a strong sense of identity.
He said as future leaders, children needed to understand their cultural roots to develop a sense of belonging and appreciate the need to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Mr Osei also urged parents to encourage their children to participate in poetry, drama and traditional dance activities to nurture their talents and preserve Ghana’s cultural heritage.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
