Faith groups offer prayers for flood, fire victims

Faith groups have offered up prayers and sent their condolences to families of the Accra floods and fire explosion.
The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Shaributu, has directed all regional imams to observe prayer sessions today, Friday, June 5 for bereaved families of Wednesday’s flood and fire tragedy.
He has also declared three days of national mourning beginning Friday.
Meanwhile, the Christian Council of Ghanahas called upon Ghanaians to support the victims and families affected by the disaster, which claimed over 200 lives and rendered many homeless and jobless in Accra.
The Council asked member churches to rally their members to offer support in the form of donation of blood, clothes and other necessities to the affected victims and their families within the city. Pastors were also encouraged to offer emotional support and counselling to the victims and affected familiies.
The Bible Society of Ghana said it was “shocked and devastated by the flood and the fire incidents” and prayed that those affected “will find the strength, comfort and hope for new beginnings in the Lord'”.
Criticism
While offering their condolences, the Catholic Bishops Conference did not spare criticism for the government’s inaction which they believed had contributed to the disaster.
“For all this time, what we have witnessed is government officials and ministers visiting flood scenes to commisserate with the victims and to make long empty promises to fix the situation,” a statement released by the Chairman of the Conference, Most Reverend Osei Bonsu noted.
It added: “Year in and year out, the same situation keeps recurring without any concrete practical steps being taken to address it holistically.”
The Conference admonished city authorities not to give building permits to people who build their houses on water courses.
“Those who flout such building regulations must be dealt with according to the law. Every Ghanaian should accept that when we flout our laws, we will all one day inevitably face the consequences of such an act,” it said.