By Felix Cofie
The first phase of the reconstruction of the Appiatse community is about thirty percent (30%) complete, and it is scheduled to be completed within time.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, after visiting the project site ahead of the first anniversary, said the first phase, which consists of the construction of the core community, will be completed before the end of the year.
The Minister disclosed this when he led a delegation from the ministry and the Appiatse Reconstruction Implementation Committee to inspect the progress of work in the community.
The Appiatse community was razed down on Thursday, January 20, 2022, when a truck carrying explosives to a mining site exploded in the community. About thirteen (13) people were reported to have died from the accident, with several others sustaining different degrees of injuries.
A Government delegation, led by the Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mamamudu Bawumia, visited the community shortly after the incident and committed to settling the medical bills of all the injured.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, following investigations into the matter, imposed a fine of $6,000,000.00 on Maxxam Ghana Limited, the company responsible for the transportation of the explosives.
A Health and Safety Committee, chaired by the Vice Chancellor of George Paa Grant University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Prof. Richard Amankwah, was also established to review the health and safety standards in the mining industry, which led to some reforms in the industry.
Government also promised to reconstruct the Appiatse community into a modern, green, and sustainable community as a model for rural development.
An Appiatse Support Fund was thus established to, among others, support the reconstruction of the community, while temporary accommodation was provided for the victims of the incident.
As the first anniversary of the incident approaches, the Minister visited the community to inspect the progress of work and assure members of the community of Government’s continuous support.
Briefing the Minister and the Delegation, the Project Architect, Mr. Walter Semordzi, said the first phase of the project consists of the construction of one hundred of twenty-four (124) housing units made up of two- to seven-bedroom houses, a school block with sanitary facilities, and the construction of roads within the community.
He said so far, one hundred and six (106) out of the one hundred twenty-four (124) housing units are under construction and are at different stages of completion. A kindergarten and six-unit classroom block are also under construction, while the Department of Urban Roads has commenced work on the construction of the roads in the community.
Speaking to the media after the inspection, Mr. Jinapor expressed satisfaction with the progress of the work. He said the preoccupation of any responsible Government, following such a tragic incident, was to provide emergency relief to support victims, investigate the matter and apply the necessary sanctions, and reconstruct the community to give the victims the dignity of life they deserve.
He said Government has since been committed to this process, and the victims have been provided with temporary accommodation while the reconstruction is ongoing.
Mr. Jinapor said Government’s commitment is to complete the first phase of the project and move the victims back to the community before the end of year.
He said social amenities required for a decent living, such as electricity and potable water, will be provided for the community as well.
He assured of Government’s commitment to developing the community in accordance with the master plan, which includes other facilities such as market and parks.
He called on the general public to continue to donate to the Appiatse Support Fund to raise enough money to expedite the reconstruction of the project.
The Divisional Chief of Bepo, Nana Atta Kojo Brembi, thanked the Minister and Government for the support given to them since the unfortunate incident.
He said the condition of most of the victims would have been miserable without Government support.
He lauded the decision of Government to reconstruct the community and pledged their continuous support to Government to complete the reconstruction.
He also pleaded with the government to continue to assist some of the victims who are unable to work due to the severity of their injuries.
