A memorial service has been held in honour of the people who lost their lives in an explosion which occurred at Appiatse, a community in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western Region last year.
The disaster, which happened a year ago, claimed 16 lives, injured over five hundred people, and destroyed the whole town, making it one of the worst explosion disasters recorded in the history of Ghana.
A minute silence was observed for the departed souls at the section of the Bogoso-Bawdie highway where the explosion happened, and later wreaths were laid at the Appiatse cemetery after prayers were said for them.
In attendance at the ceremony were legal practitioner, Nana Obiri Boahene, Member of Parliament (MP) for Prestea Huni-Valley Constituency, Mr Robert Wisdom Cudjoe, and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Prestea Huni-Valley, Dr Isaac Dasmani.
The rest were; representatives from the Minerals Commission, Security Agencies, the National Ambulance Service, the Ghana Red Cross Society, religious leaders, traditional authorities, and a cross-section of the public.
Dr Isaac Dasmani, expressed gratitude to the government, institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations, religious and Muslim groups and individuals for their contributions and support during and before the disaster.
The MP for Huni-Valley constituency, Mr Robert Wisdom Cudjoe called on regulatory bodies to ensure that trucks that conveyed explosives to mining sites got the needed escorts to prevent similar accidents from reoccurring.
The Divisional Chief of Prestea Himan Traditional Area, Nana Nteboah Prah IV, appealed to the Ministry of Education to integrate basic safety into their curriculum to keep students safe during emergency situations.
Some victims shared memories of the disaster to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and praised the government for the construction of the 124 housing units ranging from single to seven bedrooms.
It would be recalled that on Thursday, January 20, 2022, a Maxam company truck that was carrying explosives was involved in an accident at Appiatse, which claimed 16 lives and destroyed the entire Appiatse community.
Latest Stories
-
Expect fierce rainstorms in the coming weeks – Ghana Meteo warns residents in Northern, Oti regions
1 min -
Bahamas 2024: ‘There was no time to blame anyone’ – Azamati on reaction after baton drop
2 mins -
Don’t kill me – Mother of three escapes death after vicious attack by husband
12 mins -
JoySports’ Muftawu Nabila donates furniture to Duu Basic School in North East region
19 mins -
AI Economy in Africa: A step towards Africa’s industrialisation
24 mins -
Bahamas 2024: ‘I knew it was game over after receiving the baton from Azamati’ – Joe Paul
43 mins -
Today’s front pages: Wednesday, May 8, 2024
44 mins -
Ghanaians benefit from AI Africa stimulus project
56 mins -
Gideon Mensah and Elisha Owusu secure Ligue 1 promotion with Auxerre
1 hour -
Racing towards health: Why you should join 2024 KGL Foundation Millennium Marathon
1 hour -
Banking giant BNP Paribas exits South Africa
1 hour -
Attorney General unveils 8 legislations in corruption fight
2 hours -
Police clash with civilians at Dambai, teenager killed
2 hours -
Kwame Sowu: Combating Corruption and Fueling Growth Together in Ghana
2 hours -
Maame Tiwaa did not want to investigate Cecilia Dapaah’s case – Martin Kpebu
2 hours