Samuel Abu Jinapor, minister for Lands and Natural Resources has held a series of meetings with various stakeholders, following the Apiate explosion incident. I began by receiving a preliminary draft report from the Minerals Commission, the regulator of the sector.
Further investigations into some aspects of the incident and its immediate aftermath are ongoing, and, hopefully, a final report will be submitted.
The minister received officials of Maxam Ghana Limited, the company at the center of the incident. They pledged their commitment to work with the Minerals Commission and the security agencies to conduct thorough investigations into the incident.
He also met officials of Chirano Gold Mines Limited, the intended recipient of the explosives, who also pledged to cooperate with investigators.
The minister also visited the Chief Imam, His Eminence Alhaji Sheik Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, at his residence, to confer with him on important matters about my Ministry.
Finally, Mr. Abu Jinapor held fruitful discussions with the Ghana Chamber of Mines, the umbrella body of large-scale mining companies, on health and safety standards in the mining industry, and how to collaborate to support victims of the tragic incident.
“The Government of President Akufo-Addo is committed to fully investigating this horrific incident and bringing any public official found culpable to book. The Government is also committed to supporting the victims of the incident and the reconstruction of the Apiate Township” he stressed.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, 25th January 2022, on the instructions of the President of the Republic, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, they will be inaugurating an Apiate Support Fund, to, among others, support the victims of the incident and reconstruct the Apiate township, as well as a Ministerial Committee of Inquiry to examine the entire health and safety regime of mining in Ghana.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
