Make available Appiatse report to the public, WACAM to gov’t
Report by Ben LARYEA
WACAM, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in the mining space have urged the government to make available the fact finding report on the Appiatse explosion and have consequently called for adequate compensation to victims who died as a result of the explosion as well as the destruction of properties.
WACAM have expressed shock and dismay about government lukewarm attitude in relation to the report and have thus reminded government that issues of public safety are important issues for public discussions.
The explosion which resulted in the death of 14 people and displaced close to two thousand people have led to health challenges, trauma and loss of livelihood.
It is against these backgrounds that government instituted a fact finding committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the explosion under the leadership of the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor.
The Executive Director WACAM, Mr. Daniel Owusu-Koranteng in a statement said the commemoration of the one year occurrence of the Appiatse explosion is a serious concern to the country populace due to its gravity on the environment and human health.
“WACAM will continue to stand by the affected people and also demand accountability and transparency of the causes and effects of the incident to enable duty bearers and the company in question to address the plight of the people.
“The Appiatse explosion is of a major public interest hence WACAM and its players are marking the one year pain of the people of whom some continue to live in tents and on charity”, he said asking that when will the victims be restored to their previous lives of dignity and social cohesion.
WACAM is of the view that government and the stakeholders in the mining space engage and deliberate on issues of the weaknesses in mining regulations and also enforce lapses and enhance the country’s mining laws.
