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The 2016 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo, on Thursday, June 4, 2015, witnessed at first-hand the devastation caused to life and property by Wednesday night's torrential downpour which hit the capital city, Accra.

Describing the incident as a "major tragedy for Accra" and a "very bad day" for Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo visited the Goil Filling Station that was gutted by fire at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle during the rains, which left close to 200 people dead, and also visited affected residents in Odawna who have been displaced by the flood.

Nana Akufo-Addo, who was initially accompanied by the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso Central, Hon. Henry Quartey; Member of Parliament for Okaikoi South, Hon. Ahmed Arthur; National Youth Organiser, Sammy Awuku; Otiko Afisa Djaba, National Women’s Organiser; Greater Accra NPP Chairman, Ishmael Ashitey; Greater Accra NPP Secretary, Adjei Sowah; Greater Accra NPP Women’s Organiser, Joyce Zampare; former Mayor of Accra and Member of the NPP’s Council of Elders, Nii Adjiri Blankson, expressed his heartfelt condolences to all those impacted by the flood.

Addressing the media, Nana Akufo-Addo said “our first focus should be to come to the aid of those affected by the tragedy, and subsequently examine what needs to be done to ensure that such things do not happen ever again.”

He noted that “these are trying moments for the families affected and I urge them to remain strong and continue to renew their faith in the Almighty. I came here, on behalf of the NPP and on my own behalf, to extend our condolence and deepest sympathies to all who have been affected by this horrendous tragedy. It is a dark day in the history of our capital, and all of us should pull together.”

Nana Akufo-Addo maintained that after those who have been displaced and affected by the floods are attended to, “we will have to look into this situation which affects us every year. We have to find out if measures that were supposed to have been put in place to forestall this occurrence were or were not put in place. If not, we must make sure that they are put in place so that we don’t go through this again in future. We have to find a lasting solution to this problem of perennial flooding.”

He thanked the security agencies for the work they are doing in trying to ensure a quick return to normal life for the affected, “whilst at the same time providing assurance, safety and security for all of us in this city.”

Whilst touring a nearby house gutted by the fire at the filling station, Nana Akufo-Addo was joined by the General Secretary of the NPP, Kwabena Agyepong. Together with the entourage, they visited areas in Odawna and consoled those worst-hit by the floods.