‘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