Stone blasting detriments health of Afigya Kwabre South residents

The effects of blasting operations on the environment is huge and its detriment to human life is intimidating. Ground vibrations, airblast, fly rock, generation of fines, fumes and dust are all side effects of the operation which seems unconcerned by authorities in charge due to the huge financial benefit derived.

The dissatisfaction caused by the business towards residents at Kodie Mowire at the Afigya Kwabre South District in the Ashanti Region has incensed them to steer their sentiments towards SoireeNews on the negligence of the Assembly concerning their health.

Natives have bitterly complained about how they have endured the vibrations, fumes and dust of blasting operations, with their rights curtailed as Ghanaian citizens. They revealed that the introduction of the quarry business in the District has messed up their entire investment for the reason that they are frightened that houses built could easily fall anytime blasting machines are started to commence work by the contractor.

Residents outspoke that the disrespect towards them by authorities is shocking due to failure to communicate the time of blasting for them to escape the dangers.

The shaking grounds during operations has cracked buildings and destroyed properties when SoireeNews paid a visit to the vicinity yet residents reported that complaints made to the District Assembly about compensations have all proved futile and are calling on the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to intervene.

“They (workers) fail to communicate the right time to blast the stones. Sometimes we leave our homes to prevent any accidents based on the time they provide us yet on our return, that is when they start blasting,” a resident told Soireenews.

“People in this area are going through stress and injuries due to stone blasting and its very unfortunate. We are under the hill and sometimes heavy stones attack us. Inhabitants here are suffering and authorities must do something about it.”

A woman advanced in years narrated that contractors have been questioned on why they do not embrace the modern methods of blasting stones which could help control the adverse environmental impact of operations in the Afigya Kwabre South. She told that operators have always responded that the ancient vibrated method is cheap and huge financial investment goes into the modern efficient blasting with reduced environmental effects, an approach safe for people living closer to such sites.

She further informed that several complaints have been made to the Assembly on her cracked building and tiling but nothing has so far been done about it

“My house is full of cracks. Whenever you report to the District Assembly, they direct you to the Council that they are in charge of payment yet when petitions are lodged, nothing comes out from it.

“Officers have taken pictures of my home and I am yet to hear from them. I am old and the blasting is affecting us. We settled on this land even before this business so it tells you we are not here to distract their work. They could have adopted the modern safer method of explosion yet they complain of losses and see that as expensive,” she added.

Another said, “We are very close to the site and the moment they start with the operations, we are easily attacked. The air turns bad, the stones jump towards our roofs and our health is under attack. We have no one to intervene and that frightens us. No one care about us and we sometimes run from our homes when we hear their machine start.”

They have appealed to government to intercede and help them retrieve monies for the damages caused.