Lungu mourns Ghana petrol station fire victims

President Edgar Lungu has expressed sadness at the death of 200 people who recently perished at a petrol station in Accra, Ghana.

In his message of condolence  to Ghanaian President John Dlamani Mahama, President Lungu said Zambia joins the people of Ghana in mourning the death of many people in that peaceful country.

Mr. Lungu said this today when he signed a book of condolences at the Ghanaian Embassy in Lusaka.

The head of state, who arrived at the Ghanaian Embassy at about 11:12 hours, said the people of Zambia received the death of over 200 Ghanaian citizens with shock and deep sorrow.

He stated that the people of Zambia and Ghana were one people and as such, the loss of many lives was saddening to Zambians as well.

He said this was a trying moment for the people of Ghana and Zambia which need God’s guidance and strength during the period of national mourning.

And Ghana’s High Commissioner for Zambia and Malawi Elizabeth Afua Benneh thanked President Lungu for joining the people of Ghana in mourning the deceased.

Ms. Benneh said this underscored the love the people of Zambia have to the people of Ghana.

She added that this further consolidates the bilateral relations which have existed between the two countries for many years.

She said this was the first time the incidence of that nature has happened in Ghana after many years of political independence.

Ms. Benneh further said the President Mahama declared three days of national mourning following the death of over 200 people.

The national mourning period ends today, Wednesday June 10, 2015.

She said currently, the people of Ghana are holding interdenominational prayers to seek God’s guidance and strength during the dark moment that has befallen the country.

Last week, over 200 people were killed when a petrol station exploded in the Ghanaian capital Accra. Scores of people were taking temporary shelter from torrential rain at the station when it exploded.

 Zanis