Appiatse Explosion: Ghana Chamber of Mines to ensure prevention of similar future incidents
President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Eric Asubonteng, says efforts would be made to prevent explosions such as the Appiatse explosion from happening in the future.
“We should make every effort to prevent such unfortunate accidents in the future”, he said, following the explosion that occurred at Appiatse in Bogoso in the Western Region.
Mr. Asubonteng said this in a press statement issued on the back of the accident, adding that the Chamber offers its condolences to the family affected and also will provide relief items to families of the deceased as well as the injured and the entire community.
“The Ghana Chamber of Mines has received with deep sorrow the accident leading to the chemical explosion at Appiatse, near Bogoso road that led to the loss of lives and destruction of properties.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and assure them of our support during this difficult period. The immediate priority is to provide relief to the families of the deceased as well as cater for the needs of the injured and the people in the community”, said Mr Asubonteng.
He further commended the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, NADMO, the Minerals Commission as well as mining companies in the community for the immediate intervention in the situation.
He stated that the mining chamber will continue to collaborate with other organizations in the search and rescue effort.
“We commend the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, NADMO, Minerals Commission, and mining companies for the timely intervention in the matter. We continue to collaborate with these organisations in the search and rescue efforts”.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has said that the suspension of Maxam’s operational license ahead of investigations into the Appiatse explosion does not mean the company is guilty of the incident.
His assertion comes at the back of his directive to the CEO of the Minerals Commission, Martin Kwaku Ayisi, to interdict the Chief Inspector of Mines, Richard Kofi Adjej and suspend the license of Maxam Company Limited, the firm whose truck was involved in the Appiatse explosion.
The Minister in a press statement dated 21 January 2022, directed that the operational activities of Maxam Company Limited – the company believed to be the transporter of the explosives that caused the Appiatse explosion – be suspended by the Minerals Commission.
“Further, the Hon. Minister (Samuel Jinapor) has directed the CEO of the Minerals Commission with immediate effect, to suspend the registration of Maxam Company Limited with the Minerals Commission.
“Thereby precluding the company from the manufacture, transportation and /or supply of explosives for mining operations, pending the outcome of the investigations into this matter,” read parts of the statement issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Additionally, the statement noted that, the Chief Inspector of Mines at the Minerals Commission, Kofi Adjei, has been interdicted with immediate effect pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation into the incident.
Providing the rationale behind his directive on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Mr Jinapor explained that to ensure a credible investigation, Maxam Company and Mr Richard Kofi Adjei have to step aside as both parties are at the centre of the exercise.
“It is just proper for the investigation and for the internal investigations of the Mineral Commission that the Chief Inspector steps aside in order for these investigations to be one that will be credible.
“If you look at the law, the one who is directly responsible, if he (Kofi Adjei) is at post, I don’t know how credible the investigations will be. So it is just the right thing to do. Then you have this company which is at the centre of this situation. You don’t preclude the company from continuing its business of manufacturing and transporting explosives.”
According to Mr Jinapor, his directive does not assert that Mr Kofi Adjei and Maxam Company are to blame for the unfortunate incident that occurred at Appiatse on Thursday.
“Let me point out that this directive of mine by no means suggests that the Chief Inspector is guilty of any wrongdoing or is culpable. That should not be the conclusion to be drawn,” he stated.
Interacting with host, Samson Lardy Anyenini, Mr Jinapor further revealed that the protocols of Maxam Company have not been perused yet and to ensure a similar incident involving the company does not recur, its operation must be suspended so as not to drag the image of government in the mud.
“We have not had the opportunity to interrogate their protocols yet and to conclude the investigation. God forbid, if we wake up tomorrow and we are told transportation of explosives by this same company in another part of the country has resulted in a similar tragic event, what will that tell of the managers of the country?
“That will tell a very bad story of us and smack of bad judgment so I think that in the interim, while the investigations are ongoing, it is proper this company is precluded from the business that has resulted in this tragic incident. These are the fundamental reasoning that precipitated this action.”
