Former Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, has pointed to a combination of public indiscipline and political interference as the root causes of the devastating June 3, 2015 disaster in Accra.
The catastrophe, which resulted in over 150 deaths following severe flooding and an explosion at a GOIL fuel station, remains one of the most tragic incidents in Ghana’s recent history.
Speaking on Channel One TV on Wednesday, June 4, Quartey emphasised that the failure to prevent such disasters is often linked to political interests overriding sound urban planning and enforcement of regulations.
“One is indiscipline. The other one is when you add the lack of planning, standards and things—it’s politics, and that is a fact,” he remarked.
Mr Quartey expressed concern over the undue influence politicians exert on regulatory bodies responsible for urban development and safety.
According to the former Ayawaso Central MP, the technical experts within these institutions are often aware of the necessary measures to prevent such disasters, but their efforts are frequently stifled by political considerations.
He stated, “The man at Land Use and Spatial Planning knows what to do, but the politician thinks, ‘No, if you do this, I won’t win elections.’ I mean, let’s call a spade a spade. That is what to do.” This, he added, reflects a prioritisation of political gains over public safety and long-term urban management.
In his view, the persistent politicisation of key safety and planning decisions continues to undermine Ghana’s ability to address urban challenges effectively, thereby exposing citizens to avoidable risks and disasters in the future.
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