Gas Explosion: Citizens Curiosity Causing Deaths In Ghana

The rate at which Ghanaians are dying in the public incidence is very alarming. It is intimidating to notice that people unnecessarily troupe in to watch dangerous events such as motor accidents, gas explosion and robbery attacks and even criminal activities; either sustaining injury or death. While the GNFS is trying to quench fire gutted in a house, gas filling station or company among others, curious people would block the road leading to the scene watching, jeering, wailing and sharing previous experience of accidents in the past.

The reason why people behave dramatically in this ill- manner still remains unknown. Statistics indicate that the recent gas explosion killed at least seven people and left 68 others hospitalized, eight of these explosions in three years is too much and alarming. This incidence was very alarming as it was close to UNIVERISTY OF Ghana, PRESEC and an interchange where traffic is always heavy; throwing students into chaos as they run to safety away from the flames causing injuries and deaths.

The Ghana Household Utilities Manufacturing Company factory in the Western Region gas explosion killed at least six fire service personnel at the scene and injured at least 80 other people; compared to more than 150 deaths in June 2015’s gas explosion as many were seeking shelter from a storm at the gas station when that tragedy occurred. Most of these people died out of curiosity; wanted to be the first to report, be on the facebook among others.

It is not uncommon in Ghanaian affairs when a group or an individual has shown interest in others affairs and subsequently gossip about the event leaving their own plight to deteriorate. It’s noted as the adage goes; when you see a Ghanaian giggling, his fellows might be in trouble. In Ghana, when you see two people quarrelling, there would be hundreds of people yearning and misacting to support the sharp tongue or the strong instead of placating them.

Recently, it was in the news that a motor accident occurred and the people there took interest in recording the scene on their phones instead of rescuing the victims and all the passengers on board died. A historical event revealed that a young man after coming from the farm was asked to pound fufu. He heard uproar and he suspended his task and went out to catch a glimpse of the scene. Unfortunately, the perpetrator lost his target and shot him dead. The Akans say that the placatory either deserves a punch or lynching. By a mistake, somebody was shot dead due to inquisitiveness. Many people watch a scene and end up being harmed or put in trouble. Such people can be invited by the security or court to bear witness because they were eye-witness of the incidence as in the case of the late Capt. Mahama. When he was being lynched, the video recordings proved that there were curious people who witnessed the barbaric incidence with misacting, jarring and jubilating over this calamity. Later on the whole community was charged against a mistaken identity. People watch dead body in their vicinity and are invited by the police to account for the death. Whether we like it or not, curiosity has become a norm in Ghana. We need to tackle this menace. The media, Nananom and politicians should add their voice to halt it.

In another development, because of curiosity, a driver knocked down a young man. Several people who run to the place to watch the accident were killed by another driver whose brakes failed him at the spot.

Now the question is what is the rationale for our curiosity? Is it that people just take interest in witnessing events for the sake of gossip or attitudinal impulse where people unconsciously rush to the scene without thinking of the danger that posts them or their presence would cause? Or people who don’t have anything to do so just spend the day witnessing events? Perhaps, they want to be the first to record or account for the event.

There have been instances where the police and GNFS have to apply force before getting the chance to operate. By so doing people would be injured; situation which is avoidable. The recent gas explosions have recorded several deaths due to the fact that people want to know from the beginning of the incidence to the end.

When such events occur, the best thing is to call the appropriate bodies and give them the best direction to the site of the event. Such bodies include the media, the police, Ghana Fire Service, Hospital or ambulance service etc to rescue live instead of filming the events and dying at last. Please help to save lives rather than watching plights for curiosity. The time to adhere to clarion calls is now but not later.

Daniel Djan
Ministry of health
Accra