Ghana gas explosion govt shuts high risk stations

You're referring to the recent gas explosion in Ghana that led to the government shutting down high-risk gas stations.

Here's a summary of the situation:

On January 20, 2023, a devastating gas explosion occurred at a gas station in Accra, Ghana, killing at least 7 people and injuring many more. The explosion was caused by a leak in a gas pipeline, which ignited and caused a massive fire.

In response to the tragedy, the Ghanaian government has taken swift action to ensure public safety. On January 24, 2023, the Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, announced that the government would be shutting down 144 high-risk gas stations across the country.

The decision was made after a thorough assessment of the gas stations by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA). The assessment revealed that many of the stations were operating without proper safety measures, including inadequate storage facilities, poor maintenance, and lack of emergency response plans.

The government has also ordered the immediate closure of 12 gas stations that were found to be in a state of disrepair or non-compliance with safety standards. Additionally, the NPA has been tasked with conducting regular inspections of all gas stations to ensure that they meet minimum safety standards.

The government's swift action is seen as a necessary step to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The gas explosion in Accra has raised concerns about the safety of gas stations in Ghana, and the government's response is aimed at reassuring the public that measures are being taken to ensure their safety.

It's worth noting that the gas explosion in Accra has also led to calls for greater regulation and oversight of the gas industry in Ghana. Many have called for stricter safety standards and more effective enforcement of existing regulations to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.