As Ghana marks a decade since the tragic June 3rd disaster, the Director of Drains at the Ghana Hydrological Authority, Ing. Richard Amekor, has called on citizens to prioritize hydrological assessments before beginning any construction.
Speaking on the Midday News on ABC News GH, Ing. Amekor stressed that building without consulting the appropriate authorities continues to put lives and property at risk.
“We have to ensure that, before someone builds, they need to have an assessment,” he stated, urging the public to “come to the Hydro Authority for assessment before you start to build.”
His comments come in the wake of growing public concern over the country’s preparedness to prevent another catastrophe of such magnitude.
The June 3rd, 2015 disaster—a haunting combination of floods and a deadly explosion at the GOIL fuel station at Circle—claimed more than 150 lives and left widespread devastation.
Inadequate drainage systems, poor urban planning, and construction on watercourses were cited among the key failures that contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
A decade later, questions still linger over whether the country has implemented meaningful reforms or learnt the necessary lessons.
The Ghana Hydrological Authority’s appeal for proactive engagement is a stark reminder of the urgent need for institutional collaboration and citizen responsibility in infrastructure development.
