The Minority in Parliament has called for an independent probe into the circumstances leading to Thursday afternoon’s Appiatse explosion which has so far claimed some 17 lives and left some 59 others injured.
According to a report from the Ghana Police Service, a mining vehicle loaded with explosives was moving from Tarkwa and headed towards the Chirano mines when it collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion which in addition to the loss of lives, flattened most of the buildings in the area.
But the Minority believes this incident could have been avoided “because there are strict laid down protocols to be followed during transportation of such explosives in accordance with LI2177.”
“It is our firm conviction that with strict regulatory enforcement and compliance of protocols, this unfortunate incident could have been averted.”
A statement issued and signed by Ranking Member of the Mines and Energy Committee, John Jinapor in demanding the enquiry said it will among others prevent such a recurrence in future.
“The Minority is therefore calling for an impartial enquiry into this heart-wrenching accident and unfortunate loss of at least seventeen lives and destruction of several properties. This enquiry among others will prevent the recurrence of such an incident in the future.”
However, President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo has donated 200,000 cedis to support persons affected by Thursday’s explosion.
This was revealed by Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as he visited the victims of Thursday’s disaster. The Vice President visited the relief centre with an entourage of some ministers of state and presented some food items, mattresses among others.
Earlier they toured the town to assess the impact of the explosion. Dr Bawumia disclosed that the President has directed the State Housing Corporation to visit the town and subsequently build houses for the affected victims.
Below is the full release:
21st January, 2022
MINORITY CALLS FOR AN INDEPENDENT ENQUIRY INTO THE BOGOSO EXPLOSION
The Minority in Parliament has received the tragic news of an explosion in Apiate, a town close to Bogoso in the Western Region in which several lives and properties were lost.
Credible reports confirm that a motorcycle run into a vehicle carrying explosives resulting in the carnage leading to loss of lives and destruction of properties.
This incident is unacceptable because there are strictly laid down protocols to be followed during the transportation of such explosives in accordance with LI2177.
It is our firm conviction that with strict regulatory enforcement and compliance of protocols, this unfortunate incident could have been averted.
The Minority is therefore calling for an impartial enquiry into this heart-wrenching accident and unfortunately loss of at least seventeen lives and destruction of several properties.
This enquiry among others will prevent the recurrence of such an incident in the future.
We therefore call on the government to do all within its powers to support the affected people in order to ameliorate their lost.
The Minority wishes to join well-meaning Ghanaians to commiserate and share in the pain and anguish of all affected people.
Signed
John Abdulai Jinapor
Ranking Member, Mines and Energy Committee
