CEIA And Wacam Express Condolence  To People Of  Bogoso-Apiate  ...Who Lost their Family Members Through Explosion

The Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis (CEIA) and Wacam, a non-governmental organization and a premier community based human rights and environmental advocacy group, have mourned the deaths of the 17 persons who suddenly lost their lives in the explosion which occurred at Apiate in the Huni Valley District of the Western Region.

CEIA And Wacam Express Condolence  To People Of  Bogoso-Apiate  ...Who Lost their Family Members Through Explosion
Associate Executive Director of Wacam, Mrs Hannah Owusu- Koranteng
Consequently, the two organisations have jointly prayed for the speedy recovery of the fifty-nine (59) persons who were reported to have sustained severe burnt injuries as the result of the explosion.
 
A vehicle conveying explosives to Chirano Mining Company exploded at Apiate community after colliding with a motorcycle on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
At least seventeen (17) people were killed and dozens more injured in the heartbreaking incident which occurred on Thursday, January 20, 2022. The eyewitnesses stated that hundreds of houses were damaged in the blast.
Police say a preliminary investigation has established that a truck filled with explosives for mining collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the explosion at Bogoso-Apiate.
Authorities mentioned that 500 buildings were destroyed in the explosion, displacing over 500 people.
However, the two organisations (Wacam and CEIA)  which have often been advising the government to impress upon the mining companies to respect the rights of the people in their host mining communities in the country have joined many Ghanaians to mourn the untimely deaths and injuries of the victims at Bogoso-Apiate's explosion.
 
In a press statement signed and issued by the  Associate Executive Director of Wacam, Mrs Hannah Owusu- Koranteng and copied to Soireenews.com in Accra, the two organisations jointly expressed their deepest condolence to the Chief and people of the Apiate community who have lost their loved ones. 
"We wish those who have injured a speedy recovery. We also commend Government for immediately activating the National Emergency Response Mechanism to address the situation. 
"We salute the gallant men and women from Ghana Police Service, Fire Service, Ghana Armed Forces, NADMO, National Ambulance Service, Staff of Ghana Health Service in the affected area as well as the entire citizens who assisted in bringing relief to the affected people," the statement noted.
The Wacom and CEIA further commended the Churches in the area particularly, the Catholic Parish in Bogoso for releasing their church hall to be used in accommodating the displaced residents from the community.
The statement asserted that Wacam and CEIA recognise that it is too early to officially establish the root cause of this tragic incident, call on the government and relevant agencies to conduct a full-scale investigation into the incident.
According to the statement, the people of Apiate and the nation could have been spared the agony of the incident that had shocked the whole nation and its related damage if due precaution had been exercised and the safety provisions in the Minerals and Mining (Explosives) Regulations, 2012 ( LI 2177)  had been adhered to in the transport of the explosives. 
The statement related that "Our call for responsible mining practices in the country is to prevent incidences of such nature and cyanide spillages which tend to expose host mining communities to avoidable dangers.' 
The statement further emphasized that
"We want to use this medium to reiterate our call for all mining companies to adhere to responsible mining regulations. 
In furtherance to this, the statement stressed the need for the mining sector regulatory agencies to effectively regulate the mining companies to avoid regulatory capture and agency problems to ensure strict adherence to all regulations governing safe and responsible mining practices.