Families affected by the devastating June 3, 2015 disaster are hopeful that justice may finally be served as a long-running compensation case seeking GH¢40 million in damages enters its final stages in court.
Eight years after survivors and relatives of victims initiated legal action, lawyers say the case is steadily moving towards judgment, with key court sittings scheduled for June 15 and June 18, 2026.
The lawsuit was filed in 2018 by 69 survivors and dependents of victims against the Ghana Oil Company (GOIL), the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA). The plaintiffs argue that negligence on the part of the defendants contributed to the tragedy and the immense suffering endured by victims and their families.
Speaking during a press briefing in Accra, Governor of the One Ghana Movement, Mr. Senyo R. Hosi, said the victims continue to seek accountability and compensation for the lives lost, injuries sustained, and economic hardships resulting from the disaster.
According to legal counsel for the victims, the claim seeks GH¢40 million in damages for those who lost loved ones, suffered permanent injuries, lost property, or have been unable to return to work due to the effects of the tragedy.
“What the victims are claiming is that these bodies were negligent and because of their negligence they suffered what they suffered,” counsel explained.
“We are in court seeking forty million Ghana cedis in damages for the lives that have been lost, the properties that cannot be recovered, and victims left in a state where they cannot work anymore.”
The case initially included the dealer-manager of the fuel station, Mr. Thompson, but proceedings against him were discontinued following his death.
Case Approaching Conclusion
Lawyers involved in the matter say significant progress has been made, with witnesses for the victims, GOIL, and the NPA having already completed their testimonies.
Seven victims testified before the court, sharing painful accounts of the events of June 3 and the lasting impact on their lives.
Currently, a witness for the Accra Metropolitan Assembly is still giving evidence. The upcoming court sittings are expected to conclude AMA’s testimony, after which lawyers for GOIL and the NPA may cross-examine the witness.
Counsel expressed optimism that the evidentiary phase of the trial will soon be completed.
“At this stage we are getting close to the end,” he noted.
Once all evidence has been presented and cross-examinations concluded, the parties will file their written submissions before the court proceeds to deliver its judgment.
Legal representatives believe the matter could be concluded before the end of this year.
A Tragedy That Changed Ghana Forever
The June 3 disaster remains one of the darkest moments in Ghana’s history.
On the night of June 3, 2015, torrential rains triggered severe flooding across parts of Accra. Hundreds of people sought shelter at a GOIL filling station near Kwame Nkrumah Circle, unaware of the danger that lay ahead.
A powerful explosion ripped through the facility, turning what had been a refuge from the rain into a scene of unimaginable devastation.
More than 150 people lost their lives, while many others suffered severe burns and life-changing injuries. Homes, businesses, and personal belongings worth millions of cedis were destroyed.
Nearly eleven years later, survivors continue to grapple with physical scars, emotional trauma, and economic hardship.
For many families, the impending judgment represents more than a legal decision. It is a long-awaited opportunity for accountability, closure, and recognition of the pain they have endured since that tragic night.