Uneasy calm at Appiatsi after Bawumia hands over 124 units of houses to victims of tanker explosion 

There is uneasy calm at Appiatsi following the handing over of the 124 units of houses on Thursday May 2, 2024 by Vice President, Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia.

The residents after waiting for a little over two years, were looking forward to life returning to normalcy following the completion of phase one of their resettlement program.

It was all pomp and pageantry as the Vice President commissioned the project and cut the sod for the third phase on Thursday. But beneath that was the grief of some of the victims.

“It’s a mixed feeling for me (she looks around at the program taking place with disinterest), takes my mind back to the day when the incident happened”, says Florence, whose household was adversely affected.

Their world changed dramatically for the worst on January 20, 2022, when a dynamite explosion destroyed their properties, maimed many and killed 17 at the last count. Their lives from then have been a long journey of uncertainty with hopes of a better settlement. But this has not turned out as envisioned. As the commissioning ceremony got underway, it was an introspective period for the victims.

124 housing units currently occupy the cleared land, the completion of phase one of the government’s reconstruction and resettlement plan. The phase two involves reimbursing those whose buildings have been affected at the new site. But these people have some concerns.

“The amount (given us) is inadequate to complete the building” says Osman as he points to his partially renovated structure. “We have written numerous letters to the committee to no avail,” he added.

Joseph’s three-bedroom house has not been factored in any of the phases.

“There hasn’t been any form of engagement with the remaining property owners, and they are unable to give the exact date for the start of the third phase”, he laments.

“…our fear is that, it’s just eight months to the elections and four months will likely be used to campaign, so what time are they going to begin and complete the project?”

Unfortunately for him, part of his two plots of land have been taken by the new structures.

“Many land owners are saying if the houses on their lands are allocated to other persons they will evict them”, he warns.

A spokesperson for the Appiatse victims, Philip Amponsah reveals the unease of the remaining 70 property owners who fall within the phase three of the project.

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According to him, those whose lands have been taken over for the construction of the first phase have vowed to take back their lands if the phase three delays. The old Appiatse had several churches with the construction of a community center underway. But none has been catered for.

Alongside these worries are those living with health issues after the explosion. Thirty-eight-year-old John Boateng, a Driver, Welder and steel Bender still has a metal in his right hand. He says his kind should also be duly compensated.

“I used to own a shop by the road side. I lost it after the explosion. Currently there is a metal in my right hand so I am unable to work again. I am pleading with government to assist us (those with medical conditions/ those whose work was affected) to get compensations”, he said.

Meanwhile the Chief of Bepo Nana Atta Kojo Brembi II is urging government to expedite the phase three to avert agitations.

“I am pleading with the Chairman of the reconstruction committee to expedite the phase three process to avert agitations”, he cautioned.