Health facilities in the Shama District of the Western Region have activated their alert levels in nine communities after a release of dangerous gas from the Anto-Aboso explosion last weekend.

The Western Regional Health Directorate has issued directives to residents in these communities to immediately report any abnormalities with their skin and respiratory organs for immediate attention.

Deputy Western Regional Public Health Director, Dr. Gifty Amugi indicated in a Public Health Emergency Response meeting that the explosion may have possibly been caused by a chemical which could result in inflammation and itching when it comes into contact with the body.

“We are continuing intensively with sensitization of the public on avoiding such contacts and also how to detect such symptoms and report to the hospital. We have gone round the nine affected communities within the Shama district redirecting them to the nearest facilities that are safe and we’ve made provisions there so when they go, they are also to get the needed quality service without any compromise at all,” she said.

She noted that the site of the incident has been cordoned off after the air there was polluted by dangerous gasses during the explosion.

Dr. Amugi also indicated that officials are actively engaged in disseminating vital information to prevent further community exposure to harm.

She further advised companies operating in the highly industrialised region to handle hazardous chemicals with utmost care to avert another incident.

“This is also a new ball game altogether. It is telling us that as a region with so many industries and different kinds of things being done, we are working with different kinds of chemicals so we ought to be more cautious.”

Communities have been hugely impacted following the devastating explosion in Kobena-Andoh-krom in the Shama district.

Several buildings have developed cracks, with their windows and ceilings damaged, leaving residents in despair.

“About seven communities have been affected, each community having two or three issues,” the District Chief Executive of the area, Ebenezer Dadzie confirmed in an interview with Joy FM.

The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) is working diligently to compile a comprehensive report for the assembly to provide relief to those affected.

In a related development, the Western Regional Minster has set up a multidisciplinary committee to establish the cause of the explosion.

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The nine-member committee, according to the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah has three weeks to provide a detailed report on the cause of the explosion, other causes to look out for in the future, and if the company had authorization to store explosives.

Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has undertaken a major reshuffle exercise including the transfer of the Western Regional Director and others after the explosion.