Eight years ago, Ghana witnessed its most tragic disaster on June 3, 2015, when a heavy rainstorm caused severe flooding and fire that claimed the lives of 154 people and injured many others in Accra, the capital city.
The disaster, which has been dubbed as the ‘twin disaster’, occurred after hours of continuous rainfall that submerged most parts of Accra, especially the Kwame Nkrumah Circle area.
The situation worsened when a nearby petrol station exploded in the midst of the flood, engulfing people who had taken shelter there in flames.
The flood was blamed on the poor drainage system in Accra, which was clogged by silt, garbage, and illegal structures that obstructed the flow of water.
The survivors and relatives of the victims still grieve over their losses and the changes in their lives caused by the disaster.
Ghanaians wonder what measures have been taken to prevent such a calamity from happening again.
The ‘twin disaster’ remains a painful memory for many Ghanaians who lost their loved ones or suffered injuries.
Eight years later, the country still faces the problem of flooding after heavy rains due to poor drainage.
There have been several cases of flooding in various parts of Accra, such as Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Kaneshie, Okponglo, and others.
We have become accustomed to this perennial problem, but we may face another disaster if we do not address the root causes and fix them.
The country needs to implement the recommendations of the investigation report that was published after the disaster and take action to clear all potential hazards that could lead to another tragedy.
