June 3 disaster fuelled by politics and lawlessness – Henry Quartey asserts

Former Greater Accra Regional Minister Henry Quartey has identified key issues. He believes public indiscipline and political interference caused the June 3, 2015 disaster in Accra.

This tragedy led to over 150 deaths from severe flooding and a fuel station explosion. It remains one of Ghana's most tragic incidents.

On Channel One TV, Quartey discussed the failure to prevent such disasters. He linked it to political interests overriding urban planning and regulations.

He stated, “One is indiscipline. The other is lack of planning.” He emphasized that politics plays a significant role in these failures.

Quartey expressed concern about politicians influencing regulatory bodies for urban development. He noted that technical experts know how to prevent disasters but face political pressure.

He said, “The man at Land Use and Spatial Planning knows what to do.” However, politicians often prioritize elections over safety measures.

This situation reflects a focus on political gains rather than public safety. Quartey believes this politicization undermines Ghana’s ability to manage urban challenges effectively.

As a result, citizens remain exposed to avoidable risks and future disasters.