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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
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested former professional boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as “Ayitey Powers,” over an alleged threat of death against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo.
According to the Police, the 46-year-old former boxer was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with the alleged threat.
The Police said the arrest followed a video circulating on social media in which Ayitey Powers is alleged to have issued the threat against Mr Ampofo.
He is currently in Police custody and is assisting with investigations.
The Accra Regional Police Command said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threat and determine the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with the law.
The Command has urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information about the matter while the investigation continues.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo Markin has sued the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited over alleged defamatory comments made against him on the Newsfile programme.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Mr Afenyo Markin is seeking GH¢15 million in damages, an apology and retraction of the statements, among other reliefs.
The suit follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of Newsfile, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo Markin as an “extortionist” while responding to a question about GoldBod’s reported profits and its position on losses arising from its operations.
The plaintiff claims that Mr Gyamfi repeated the allegation when the host sought clarification on whether he stood by the description.
Mr Afenyo Markin further claims that Mr Gyamfi challenged him to sue him and insisted that the allegation was true.
The plaintiff argues that the statements created the impression that he engages in extortion, uses his political influence to put improper pressure on public institutions and officials, and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of a lawyer and public office holder.
He denies the allegations and maintains that he is not an extortionist and has never engaged in the conduct alleged by Mr Gyamfi.
The Minority Leader also argues that the comments were made maliciously and were presented as facts without evidence being disclosed.
He claims the statements have damaged his reputation, professional standing and public image, particularly because of his position as a senior political figure and legal practitioner.
The suit also names Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant because, according to the plaintiff, the alleged defamatory comments were broadcast through JoyNews and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and YouTube.
Mr Afenyo Markin claims Multimedia failed to stop the comments or deactivate Mr Gyamfi’s microphone after the allegations were made.
He is therefore asking the court to award him general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as GH¢15 million in compensation and legal costs.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction and public apology.
The plaintiff wants the apology and retraction to be given similar prominence and reach as the original publication, including through JoyNews and the social media platforms where the comments were disseminated.
He is further seeking a permanent injunction preventing the defendants from repeating the alleged defamatory statements or words with a similar meaning.
The writ requires the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after being served.
It warns that failure to do so could result in judgment being entered in their absence.
The case was filed by lawyer Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers on behalf of Mr Afenyo Markin.
By: Jacob Aggrey
