Ghana mourns over 200 flood, fire victims

Ghana on Monday started observing three-days of national mourning for people who lost their lives through flood and fire disasters in the capital.

The double disaster claimed over 200 lives and destroyed properties worth millions of U.S. dollars last Wednesday.

The inferno followed hours of prolonged downpour that led to power outages in several communities.

A large number of the victims were believed to be taking shelter at a fuel station in Accra to escape the downpour when an explosion occurred.

Hundreds more also sustained various degrees of injury and are receiving treatment at different hospitals in Accra.

President John Dramani Mahama announced the three-day national mourning after a crisis meeting of the national Security Council moments after the incident.

Flags are flying at half mast across the country till Wednesday and government is encouraging Ghanaians to wear black attire and red armbands during the period.

The three-day mourning will end on Wednesday with a memorial service for the departed near the site of the fire disaster at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle to be attended by President Mahama.

"As we go about our work and duties during the three days, let us remember the victims and pray for their souls and pray for the strength and comfort for their families and friends," Edward Omane- Boamah, Minister of Communications, said in a statement.

The government has released an amount of 50 million cedis (15 million U.S. dollars) to support victims affected by the flood and explosion.

President Mahama said after visiting the accident scene that drastic steps were necessary if the country was to permanently address this perennial flooding problem.

"We will intensify efforts to expand and modernize our drainage system," he said, requesting the "understanding and cooperation of Ghanaians to set right what has been wrong with us for far too long". Endi