Families get Ghc1,000 memorial park for the dead

Government through the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, AMA, is giving out one thousand cedis to the families of persons who perished in the June 3 flood and fire disaster.

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly says it has so far paid about eleven thousand Ghana cedis to nine families who lost their relatives in the June 3 fire disaster at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Goil Fuel Station.

This is in fulfillment of government's pledge to support the relatives of all 159 persons who died. Isaac Nyarko, a beneficiary of the amount told TV3 he received a call from the AMA asking him to come for the money since they were Ghanaians who needed to be assisted by government.

Another beneficiary, Charles Kesse, told TV3 "I have lost a child and a wife. They are my heroes and I give thanks to God because he knows the best and has a reason for what has happened. I would have to thank the Government and the people of Ghana for their support"

To access the funds, a family must send a formal letter addressed to the National Disaster Management Organization, NADMO Coordinator, or the Accra metropolitan Assembly to officially declare the death of their relative.

An autopsy report and a burial permit must also be added.

The deceased must however, be buried before the family can apply for the funds. The money is expected to support a child or children who may have been left behind as well as other burial expenses.

"As a city and as a nation we will continue to make sure that this does not happen again. Let us all bear that responsibility because collectively we can make a difference" said the AMA Mayor Alfred Oko Vanderpuije.

Mr. Alfred Oko Vanderpuije also disclosed that a memorial park would be constructed in the memory of the victims of the disaster.

Government has already paid some monies for the treatment of several injured persons who survived the twin disaster.

Several media houses and individuals have also set up fund raising campaigns to support survivors of the disaster particularly those who were hospitalized and rendered homeless.

It is however unclear how these efforts are being coordinated to ensure the items and monies being received reach the targeted persons.