A political analyst and governance expert Issaka Amon Kotei has expressed concern over Ghana’s inability to effectively address flooding and disaster management, particularly at the local government and district assembly levels.
Speaking on Adekyee Mu Nsem, a morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM hosted by Alexander Nana Dogbey in Accra, the analyst stated that Ghana and its governance institutions have not done enough to put effective systems in place to combat flooding and other disasters.
According to him, many environmental protection laws remain unenforced, while several important bills are still pending in Parliament. He noted that the delay in passing and implementing these laws continues to hinder efforts to safeguard the environment.
Reflecting on the country’s experience with flooding, he argued that the inability of local assemblies to develop workable plans for flood prevention and waste management significantly contributed to the June 3, 2015, disaster at Kwame Nkrumah Circle.
He emphasized that every assembly serving a population of about 1,200 people or more should have a comprehensive waste management framework, including the strategic placement of waste bins to ensure proper disposal of refuse.
While acknowledging some progress in waste and flood management over the years, he stressed that much more needs to be done to address the persistent challenges facing communities across the country.
Looking back, eleven years ago today, disaster struck the heart of Accra in a deadly combination of flood and fire that claimed 154 lives and left the nation in shock. On the night of June 3, 2015, torrential rains battered the capital, and an explosion at the GOIL filling station near Kwame Nkrumah Circle turned an already severe flood emergency into a national tragedy.
Hundreds of people seeking shelter from the heavy rains and rising floodwaters gathered at the fuel station. However, as water levels continued to rise, fuel leaked from the station and spread across the floodwaters. Moments later, a spark triggered a massive explosion that engulfed the area in flames.
The aftermath was devastating. Bodies were scattered across the area, while others were recovered days later from open drains. Emergency responders faced the difficult task of clearing the scene and assisting victims. In response, the government declared three days of national mourning.
Following the tragedy, a government-appointed committee launched an investigation to determine the causes of the disaster and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence. The committee’s report identified a chain of events that led to the explosion.
“The flooding at Kwame Nkrumah Circle was the remote cause of the fire,” the report stated. It identified the overflow of fuel from the GOIL station as the intermediate cause. According to the findings, the final trigger was a lit cigarette allegedly dropped into the fuel-contaminated floodwaters by an individual identified as Seth Kwesi Ofosu.
The explosion injured an additional 154 people and destroyed five structures, including the filling station. Property losses were estimated at GH¢1.65 million.
Among its recommendations, the committee called for extensive drainage improvements, including the dredging and desilting of the Odaw River and its tributaries, which frequently overflow during heavy rains. It also proposed the establishment of a sanitation police force to enforce environmental and waste disposal regulations.
Although some interventions have been implemented since the disaster, many observers believe that the underlying issues remain unresolved. Poor urban drainage systems, inadequate waste management practices, and unregulated construction continue to pose significant risks to residents of Accra.
As the nation marks the eleventh anniversary of the June 3 disaster, survivors, families of victims, and civil society organizations are once again calling for accountability and sustained action to ensure that such a tragedy never occurs again.