A decade ago today, Accra was plunged into chaos as torrential floods and a deadly explosion at a fuel station near Kwame Nkrumah Circle claimed over 150 lives and shook the nation to its core.
As Ghanaians mark the tenth anniversary of the June 3 disaster, the question remains: what lessons have been learned and what is being done to prevent history from repeating itself?
On the night of June 3, 2015, the skies opened over Accra, releasing a torrent of rain that quickly submerged roads, homes, and entire neighborhoods.
As vehicles stalled and people sought shelter, many found refuge under the canopy of the GOIL fuel station at Kwame Nkrumah Circle.
Tragically, that refuge became a death trap.
A spark likely from a nearby vehicle or electrical fault ignited fuel that had mixed with the floodwaters. In seconds, the station erupted in flames, killing scores of people who had taken shelter there.
The combined force of flood and fire turned one of the city’s busiest hubs into a scene of unspeakable devastation.
Official figures recorded over 150 lives lost, with countless more injured or traumatized.
The tragedy prompted nationwide mourning, promises of reform, and urgent calls to address the city’s poor drainage systems, unregulated structures, and lax safety enforcement.
Ten years on, survivors and families of the victims still carry the emotional scars. Annual memorial services remind the nation of what was lost, but also what remains at stake.
While some improvements have been made such as drainage projects, public sensitization on waste disposal, and fuel station safety reviews, experts and civil society groups warn that risk factors remain dangerously high.
Flash floods still plague parts of the capital. Informal settlements continue to block waterways.
Enforcement of zoning and building regulations remains inconsistent. And climate change adds another layer of urgency to the problem.
As Ghana marks a decade since one of its darkest days, the memory of June 3 must be more than a moment of reflection. It must be a catalyst for action.
So we ask: What are you doing, what are we all doing to ensure this never happens again?
The answer could save lives.
