A 40-year-old bus conductor, popularly known as ‘mate’ is battling for his life after a liquid oxygen cylinder exploded on him at Suame Magazine Zone 18 in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, September 1,2025 around 4pm has left artisans and other workers in a state of shock.
The yet to be identified man has reportedly lost his left hand and other parts of his body and currently at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, receiving treatment.
A day after the incident, the injury of the 40-year old mate who came there with his boss for repair work continues to be a topic of discussion in the Suame enclave.
Some of the welders at the Zone 18 enclave who spoke with our news team admitted living in fear following the incident.
Speaking on Ghanakoma morning show on Akoma 87.9FM in Kumasi with Sir John, an eye witness, Kwame Appiah, acknowledged the inherent risks of their profession and shared the likely mistakes that led to the fatal explosion.
“We are living in fear as welders, and this is the first time such an explosion has happened. We are all scared, some of my colleagues are even contemplating on leaving the work but some of us are still encouraging them not to give up. The work is very risky, but we are cautious.”
“The mistake that led to the unfortunate incident is the fact that the gas cylinder was very close to the injured mate.The welder should have placed the gas cylinder metres away from where he was working,” Kwame Appiah, who is also a welder told Sir John in an interview on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
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By Benjamin Aidoo
