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‘Declare June 3 as National Burns awareness Day’
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
AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has broken ground on a modern 1,500-seater multipurpose assembly hall and a secured main gatehouse for New Edubiase Senior High School, in the Adansi South District.
The project, being executed by local contractor AA Engineering and Construction, is expected to be completed within 17 months and forms part of the Mine’s 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) — a strategic framework for delivering sustainable development in its host communities.
Beyond the expansive assembly hall, the facility will house a fully integrated administrative complex featuring a dedicated sound room, a 16-seater staff eatery, and suites for the Headmaster and Assistant Headmaster, a bursar’s office, an 18-seater conference room, a 24-seater staff common room, six faculty office spaces and ancillary stores and washrooms.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Mine’s Director of Sustainability Management, Edmund Oduro Agyei, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving educational outcomes in host communities through impactful and sustainable investments.
The Edubiasehene, Guahyia Oduropanin Birikorang, commended the Mine for the investment, saying the project demonstrated that the company’s development agenda extended well beyond its immediate operational areas.
The Headmaster of New Edubiase SHS, Mr Christopher Appiah Mensah, described the intervention as timely and transformative, noting it would address longstanding infrastructure deficits, improve conditions for teaching and learning, and create adequate space for academic and social gatherings.
“This will greatly enhance administrative efficiency and improve the overall welfare of both staff and students,” he said.
The facility is also expected to boost the school’s capacity to host national examinations and major events, and strengthen its standing as a centre of academic excellence within the district.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
Stakeholders have been urged to help raise awareness and eliminate the stigma often associated with clubfoot, a treatable condition which occurs in children.
Parents are to seek early treatment for the condition while policymakers strengthen support for early detection, disability inclusion, and child health services in the country.
Clubfoot is a condition present at birth in which one or both feet are twisted inward and downward. If left untreated, experts say a child may face lifelong challenges with walking, which could affect education, employment, and social inclusion.
In Ghana, an estimated 1,000 babies are said to be born with clubfoot every year.
In commemoration of the World Clubfoot Day, marked on June 3 every year, stakeholders create awareness about the condition and, among other things, celebrate the dedication of health professionals who ensure children receive treatment.
In a release copied to the Ghana News Agency, Nana Afua Adutwumwaa Adjetey, Programme Manager, Ghana Clubfoot Programme, noted that many families were unaware of the free treatment available for the condition in Ghana. 
She observed that the lack of awareness continued to delay treatment for children who could have received prompt and life-changing care at no cost.
Treatment, she said, was provided free of charge for children under age five at Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG–Hope Walks) partner clinics across the country.
More than 9,000 children born with clubfoot had received treatment and care through the programme over the past 18 years.
“The treatment follows the internationally recognised Ponseti Method, which uses a series of gentle casts to gradually correct the position of the foot, followed by a brace to maintain correction and prevent relapse. When treatment begins early, success rates are extremely high,” Madam Adjetey explained.
“For many children, the journey begins with a health worker who identifies clubfoot at birth and makes a referral. A few moments of observation can change the course of a child’s life forever.”
“Clubfoot is not a curse; it is not caused by wrongdoing…it is a medical condition that can be treated successfully. Families should never feel ashamed to seek help.”
The Programme Manager said children born with the condition deserved equal opportunities, dignity, and inclusion, and called on communities to support parents rather than “judge them.” -GNA
