Ghana’s presidency has held a ceremony to officially kick off a three-day national mourning for victims of a filling station blast, and torrential rain in the capital, Accra
The event was led by Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, and had in attendance key state officials. It officially marked the beginning of the mourning, which ends on Wednesday June 10.
It comes a day after a major salvage operation ended at the scene of the inferno.
Ghana recorded its worst disaster in decades on June 3, when torrential rains displaced many and killed several others. A filling station blast also led to the death of over 200 people, officials say.
Relief efforts from state agencies are being carried out in affected areas. On Saturday, officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) presented items worth thousands of Ghana cedi to affected persons.
The government has also announced it is taking responsibility for the hospital bill of the victims. Items so far given out to affected persons include bags of rice, boxes of cooking oil, tin fish including sardine and mackerel, milk, liquid and powdered, tea bags, sugar, spaghetti, tomato paste, and bottled water among others,” the Ministry of Communication say.
Other non-food items include blankets, mattresses mosquito nets and coils, clothes, basins and bowls.
By: Kasapafmonline.com/Ghana – Photos Credit – BBC
