Accra Floods: Prez directs DNA tests for unidentified victims

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President John Dramani Mahama has directed that DNA tests be conducted on the charred bodies of last Wednesday’s fire disaster to ease identification by family members.

He is, therefore, calling on families who are yet to identify members to visit the 37 Military, Police and Korle Bu Teaching Hospitals with DNA samples to confirm the identities of the deceased.
The President gave this directive Wednesday morning during the memorial service to sympathise with victims of the double disaster which claimed over 150 lives and destroyed properties worth millions of Ghana cedis.
The memorial service brings to an end the three days of mourning set aside by government in honour of the victims who died during the flood and fire that hit parts of Accra on Wednesday, June 3, 2015.
Addressing the congregation, President Mahama said, “Government has given authorisation for DNA tests to be conducted on the bodies from the disaster which have not yet been identified. This will allow families that are unsure of the fate of their members and those who yet to be accounted for will be able to bring DNA samples for confirmation can be made. With this official confirmation, claims can quickly be granted.”
The President who gave the death toll to be 152 said the names of the victims would be released to the public in due course to ensure that they are remembered eternally.
“These numbers are still provisional and we are hoping that we shall not find any more bodies,” he said.
He also urged Ghanaians to remember those recovering in the various hospitals in prayers.
“Let’s continue to pray for them to be healed. Let us keep them in our thoughts and prayers as they continue on their path on full recovery,” he said.
Let’s be grateful
Nonetheless, President Mahama urged Ghanaians to be grateful to God in the face of difficulties.
 “There is much for which we should be grateful. Not least of all is our own lives. We have seen yet again, the unpredictability of life. Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring and no one is immune or exempt,” he noted.
Over 150 persons died on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 during a flood and fire disaster which hit Accra

Blame game
President Mahama also urged Ghanaians to exercise restraint in apportioning blame.
He admitted the fact that there was a lot of blame to be made. Nevertheless, he said, such discourse should be done to finding a lasting solution against another occurrence of such a disaster.
“When we list one by one, the various mistakes and failings that contributed to this catastrophe, I hope it is not for the purpose of pointing fingers but rather of making certain that something of this nature never again happens to our dear country.”
“Our conversations should not be centred on what parts government did or did not do but rather on what this government must and will do. We should not waste resources or time predicting when another disaster or flood will claim lives. Rather, invest that time in taking the appropriate measures to prevent the possibility of such an occurrence,” he added.
Appreciation
President Mahama expressed his appreciation to the security agencies for their dedication and fearless effort in the face of the disaster.
He also extended his gratitude to the numerous Ghanaians who risked their own lives to save others as well as the various organisations who have set up disaster relief funds intended to mobilise resources to assist those in need.

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