Government to launch the Appiatse Endowment Fund today
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has said government will on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, launch the Appiatse Endowment Fund.
The Fund is expected to provide support and relief efforts to persons affected by the recent explosion which occurred last Thursday, 20th January, 2022 at Appiatse, a suburb of Bogoso in the Western Region.
At a meeting with the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Hon. Samuel Jinapor said the time has come for the Chamber to work closely with Government and ensure the safety of the Ghana Mining space.
He also mentioned that his outfit will inaugurate a Committee to examine the health and safety issues in the Mining Sector of Ghana.
Touching on the suspension of Maxam Company, he indicated that “this suspension is total until such a time that all issues surrounding it are resolved”.
In a remark, Eric Asubonteng, President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines said, the Chamber will be a constructive partner to the Ministry and is also ever ready to support the Fund on an individual basis as well as an entity.
He, however, hoped that the outcome of the Investigative Committee will help fashion out ways to improve the entire Mining Industry.
The Fund which is aimed at soliciting support from individuals, corporate institutions and well-meaning Ghanaians, will also be managed by an independent body with supervision from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Meanwhile, Mr Asubonteng, has called for efforts that would ensure that explosions such as the Appiatse explosion are prevented from happening in the future.
“We should make every effort to prevent such unfortunate accidents in the future”, he stated.
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”, he remarked.
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 follows the 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.
