The Chairman of the Appiatse Support Fund Committee, Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, says the over GH₵35 million received as donations to the Appiatse Support Fund is not sufficient to rebuild the community.

According to her, although more money is needed, the Committee is still grateful to all contributors for their enormous contributions so far.

Addressing journalists in Accra on Monday, Dr Aryee said, "This amount notwithstanding, we are far from reaching what we would call sufficient funds. This is because the extent of damage to the Appiatse township cannot be overemphasised and this amount raised so far will not be adequate."

The revelation by Dr. Joyce Aryee was during a press briefing to among other things, update the general public on funds received so far and to deliberate on how to develop concrete proposals for soliciting more funds to be able to support the project which is set to begin by the end of April 2022.

She also stated that the money collected does not include the $5 million fine placed on Maxam Company by government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

The Chairman of the Committee disclosed that Maxam is yet to pay the fine through the Minerals Commission.

She further added that the Committee will at an appropriate time, make available to the public the list of corporate institutions and patriotic individuals who have donated both in cash and kind to the fund.

The Chairman of the Support Fund Committee, Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee also made a passionate appeal for more donations so as to ensure the fast and steady reconstruction of the town.

"We are still insisting on our hashtag: “Obiara entuabi” which means 'everyone must pay', to enable us to make this project a reality."

She is optimistic measures will be put in place to equip the reconstruction implementation team with the requisite funds to construct an eco-friendly, green and sustainable town.

"Monetary contributions may be deposited in the name of APPIATSE SUPPORT FUND at GCB Bank account number 1011130036123 or Stanbic Bank account number 9040009974967. We also encourage you to kindly send your donations through MTN, Vodafone, AirtelTigo to G-Cash short code *422*530# or Stanbic short code *718*25*096#."

She expressed her profound gratitude on behalf of her team and the people of Appiatse to all those who have donated and assured them of the Committee's commitment to working with the Reconstruction Implementation Committee to bring Appiatse back on its feet.

On his part, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Chairman of the Appiatse Reconstruction Implementation Team, Samuel Abu Jinapor, explained that the amount of work to be done at Appiatse would determine the amount needed by the Fund for the completion of the project.

He urged Ghanaians to be patient as the Committee puts together an inventory to determine how much will be needed, adding that the exact amount will also depend on the contractor who is awarded the contract to reconstruct the community.

Mr. Blankson Hermans, a member of the Appiatse Reconstruction Implementation Team and a representative from the Ghana Institute of Architects gave a summary of the activities taken by the Reconstruction Implementation Committee.

"For now, we've come up with a land-use plan which was developed by the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority. It forms the basis for the design that will be used for the provision of the housing and commercial facilities for the community."

"So we've inspected a route going through the main town and out of it. We've got about 120 out of 126 houses to reconstruct. But essentially, as we develop, what we are doing now is to start with the road networks by April ending and we hope to meet our deadline," he concluded.