Disaster at Kwame Nkrumah Circle: Five years on…..

What was described the night before as a heavy downpour at the center of the country’s capital, the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, was aggravated after a nearby fuel station exploded amid the downpour, leaving an estimated 154 Ghanaians lifeless whiles others endured excruciating pains as a result of burns and injuries. Remembering the sad incident on Wednesday on 3rd June 2015, wadataonline.com visited the epicenter to interact with some residents. Kwame Nkrumah Circle was the location and exact spot was GOIL Fuel station near the interchange.

Interview Victims

During our interaction with some individuals whose livelihoods have been affected by the disaster, it was realized that there is little or no sensitization from authorities ahead of June-July rainy season. It is imperative to sensitize this and other vulnerable communities prior to what might be described as precarious season depending on area one resides. Some victims of the disaster expressed their dissatisfaction about the response of authorities in the aftermath of the gas explosion and flooding.

Madam Elizabeth Esi Saakwaa Fynn expressed worries about lack of compensation from the government. Madam Elizabeth reveals that she lacks shelter and had hoped for some any form of assistance from the general public as well as authorities but has so far received nothing.

Union Chairman at the location also claims to have received nothing either from GOIL or NADMO. The truth is that cars were burnt and their owners are now moving about with no source of income. They are therefore pleading with the government to intervene and give them the necessary support to get their lives on track.

The question now is what measures are being put in place to prevent this incidence from happening again? are the residence ready for June July?

Below are some images from the epicentre:

Source: wadataonline.com/Issa Abubakar