By: Gyamfuah Owusu-Ackom // @ama__gyamfuah
The Minerals Commission of Ghana has disclosed that the quarry in Anto-Aboso at Shama, Western Region, which experienced a devastating explosion on Sunday, was operating without proper authorization.
The commission’s mine inspectors had noticed that the company was conducting nighttime operations, presumably to avoid detection by Commission inspectors and the local task force, which included police and members of the Sand Winners and Quarry Association.
During a routine monitoring visit by inspectors from the Takoradi Office of the Commission, it was revealed that the company was engaged in site cleaning and preparatory work and had operated machinery and equipment on-site without obtaining the Commission’s approval.
In an official statement, the Commission noted that their preliminary investigations confirmed that the site of the explosion was the subject of an application by a company named STA Addsams Enterprise.
However, five people died in the tragic explosion with many others sustaining injuries. Among the casualties were night workers, believed to be of both Chinese and Ghanaian nationality, with some suffering severe burns.
The Managing Director (MD) of the company remains unaccounted for.
Survivors of the explosion were swiftly transported to various hospitals in the district and Sekondi for medical treatment.
The blast also caused extensive damage to numerous structures in the vicinity, including a fuel station and the sole health post in the area, significantly compromising the structural integrity of several buildings.
This incident marks the second explosion to strike the Western Region in less than two years, following a similar tragic event that occurred in Appeatse in January the previous year.
