The 68 beneficiaries of the Appiatse redevelopment project’s third phase are urgently appealing to the NDC government, particularly the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) committee, to intervene in their situation.
They’re requesting a thorough investigation of all individuals involved in the project, as they feel abandoned.
This plea comes exactly three years after the devastating Appiatse explosion, which left many survivors, especially the injured, struggling to make ends meet.
On the of 20th January, 2022, an explosion at Appiatsi in the Western Region claimed 17 lives, caused numerous injuries, and left over 500 people homeless.
The then government built 124 housing units for the survivors which formed the first phase of the redevelopment effort to resettle the survivors and reimbursed the victims in a second phase. But some of them, who suffered injuries from the explosion, have been abandoned.
Forty-seven-year-old Yaya Musa, a truck driver who plied the Tarkwa to Kumasi route to deliver goods for his company, was on the Appiatsi route when the disaster struck.
Two of the four people on his truck that day tragically lost their lives, while Yaya and one other were left with life-threatening injuries.
“I was on a delivery trip with my team to unload goods at one of our locations. As we approached Bogoso, I noticed smoke ahead and immediately reported it to my supervisor. He instructed us to wait. Suddenly, I heard a deafening explosion, and something hit my chest with tremendous force, knocking me to the ground. I tried to get up but fell again. The next thing I knew, I was at Wassa Akropong Government Hospital.”
After multiple surgeries, which included the insertion of metal implants to strengthen his bones, Yaya can now walk with the aid of a walking stick. He has however been evicted by his landlord for non-payment of rent and now resides in an uncompleted structure lacking basic amenities like water and electricity.
“I shared my eviction situation with some colleagues, and one of them informed the owner of this unfinished structure. Although it’s not complete, he offered it to me, asking if I could manage living here.”
“Initially, the place was overgrown with bushes, but I cleared them despite my physical condition. I also used mosquito nets to cover the windows. However, my concern is that if the owner returns to continue construction, I’ll be forced to vacate, leaving me uncertain about my future living arrangements.”
Unfortunately, Yaya’s name was omitted from the official list of Appiatse victims, leaving him without any support. Although his company covered some of his medical expenses, as a father of five, Musa struggles to make ends meet.
“I’m yet to hear from the committee, and meanwhile, my living conditions have deteriorated significantly. I’m struggling financially, to the point where buying even sachet water is a challenge. Any assistance from generous individuals would be deeply appreciated.”
And he is not alone in the struggle.
“I’m struggling to cope due to my ongoing medical expenses. Every month, I have to undergo check-ups, but unfortunately, those who initially supported me have grown weary of my situation. To make matters worse, I have another check-up scheduled in two weeks, but I lack the funds to cover it.”
Another victim shared her heartbreaking story “Despite undergoing three eye surgeries, I still struggle to open my eyes at night, especially in bright lighting. This has made me a recluse, forcing me to stay indoors. To make matters worse, I haven’t received my allocated housing unit, leaving me without a sense of security or stability.”
Despite staging a series of demonstrations to demand their entitlements, the 68 beneficiaries of Phase Three of the Appiatsi redevelopment remain uncertain.
“The Vice President cut the sod for the third phase of the project, which was intended for 68 households. We had high hopes that by now, construction would be underway, possibly even at the roofing stage.”
“However, as of today, there’s nothing to report. We’ve been left in the dark, feeling neglected, and no one is providing updates on the status of Phase Three, despite the sod-cutting ceremony having taken place.”
Joseph Abu, the Secretary of the phase three beneficiaries, is making an urgent plea to the new government to intervene to assuage their plight.
“We urgently appeal to the new government to establish the Operation Recovery All Loot (ORAL) committee to conduct a thorough investigation. We request that the committee scrutinizes the actions of both local and national committees involved in the Appiatse project.”
“We demand that anyone who worked on this project, from the local to the national level, come forward and explain why, to date, our homes remain unbuilt.”
For now, the lives of the surviving injured victims and the 68 beneficiaries of Phase Three of the Appiatse explosion will continue to hang in the balance until the necessary interventions are made.
