Appiatse explosion: another victim dies at KATH

Another victim of the Appiatse explosion, who had her left leg amputated as a result of the severe injury she sustained, has died at the Okomfo Anokye Teaching hospital in the Ashanti region.

Madam Ama Nsowaa, 59, who was among the severely injured during the explosion nine months ago, died while on admission at the facility.

Public Relations Officer of the Appiatse Disaster Relief Committee Mr. Thywill Quarshie, confirmed this to the Ghana News Agency in Tarkwa.

He said the passing of Madam Nsowaa brings to 15 people who had died since the disaster happened on January 20, 2022.

On Thursday, January 20, 2022, a truck belonging to Maxam Ghana limited, which was transporting mining explosives from Tarkwa to Chirano Gold Mines Limited in the Western region, was involved in an accident at Appiatse on the Bogoso to Bawdie highway.

This led to an explosion, which levelled the entire community and displaced the people.

Fourteen people were killed while several others sustained various degrees of injuries.

Appiatse Re-construction

Five contractors have moved to the site at Appiatse in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western Region to commence the reconstruction of the Appiatse Community, razed by an explosion on January 20.

Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and Chairman of the Appiatse Reconstruction Implementation Team, Mr. Benito Owusu-Bio, announced that after a series of administrative processes, it had secured approval from the Public Procurement Authority to allow five contractors to commence work on the site.

He said the five contractors had moved to the site and had begun work to restore the livelihoods of the residents of Appiatse to normalcy.

The contractors include Fineness Elevation Limited, Savanna Grande Company Limited, Builders Company Limited, MegaTech Plus Engineering Solutions Limited, MackSams Limited and Mc Castro Company Limited.

As part of his working visit to the community to familiarise himself with the progress of work, Mr Owusu-Bio engaged the contractors on site and urged them to beef up security to ensure the safety of their workers.

He asked the contractors to ensure the workers strictly complied with the safety protocols.

For instance, everybody must be in a helmet, make sure they are in their safety boots and those who failed to comply should be queried to deter others, the Deputy Minister stated.

He also tasked the contractors to ensure proper and clear demarcation of the plots with caution tapes to prevent potential accidents.