News Analysis On Accra Disaster: .....All Fingers Point To

The memory of the flood and Goil inferno at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra on Wednesday is still fresh in the minds of Ghanaians, a very sad occurrence indeed.

This devastating incident that killed scores has left families and the entire nation mourning for the lives of cherished Ghanaians that perished on this fateful day.

It is important to console one another knowing that Africa and Ghana for that matter is not immune to tragedies.

Remember April 2015 Nepal earthquake that killed over 8,800 people and injured more than 23,000? So, the torrential rain was a natural happening but we cannot rule out the fact that we played a key part in the damage that was caused in the tragedy as citizens.

Then again, the fact that a similar occurrence happened July 4, 1968 and June 9, 1988 means that perhaps as a nation, we have not been proactive in the management of disasters. It therefore behooves us to take steps to develop this area to better handle any such occurrence.

The meteorological services department for instance can be engaged to furnish the public with information on whether to help people know when to expect favourable and bad weather as well as sensitize the public on the need to be informed in this wise.

As we comfort the families that have been hit by this disaster, let us purpose in our hearts and decide through our actions to stop dumping refuse in gutters, building in water ways, and near banks of water passages etc as measures to prevent such disasters in future.

And if we also decide to perpetrate the blame game as is typical of us, then let’s blame government, planning and settlement department, waste management authorities right down to the common citizen walking the street of Ghana.

To conclude, I will urge all Ghanaians to extend a helping hand to victims who have been rendered homeless and comfort grieving families, but most importantly begin to act responsibly henceforth.

My deepest condolence to affected families and may the souls of the departed rest in peace.