A huge explosion occurred on Thursday afternoon, January 20, 2022, at Apiatse between Bogoso and Bawdie in the Western Region when a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to Chirano mines collided with a motorcycle. Several people were injured, some lost their lives, and an entire community lost their homes and other belongings.
The unfortunate incident forced the government to provide makeshift shelters for the residents in anticipation of redeveloping the community so survivors could have decent permanent places of abode. The plan was categorized into phases one, two, and three.
The government completed phases 1 and 2 and handed them over to some residents, without commencing work on the site for the third phase.
The delay in completing the redevelopment project renders sixty-eight households homeless. The victims attempted to reach out to the government through various communication channels to address their concerns but all to no avail.
They threatened to evict any unauthorized occupants on the land allocated for the project and erect their shelters if the government failed to fulfill its promise by August 31.
The August 31 deadline has passed, with no action taken, leaving the protesters feeling frustrated, disappointed, and ignored, compelling them to register their displeasure through street protest.
The protestors want the authorities to address their unresolved plight by releasing funds to build houses for themselves.
The households, whose structures were demolished for the first phase, were promised new buildings but have yet to receive them after months of waiting.
It has been nearly five months since Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Lands Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor commissioned the first phase and cut the sod for the third phase. Despite this, the affected individuals have yet to receive their houses.
A site visit on September 12, 2024, revealed that 104 out of 124 commissioned houses are occupied, but 20 houses are uncompleted, with doors and windows yet to be fixed.
The sixty-eight households in phase three claim they have had no communication regarding the project’s start date since the sod-cutting ceremony.
On Thursday, the homeless victims staged a protest march through principal streets in Bogoso.
The protest, headlined “We Want Our Homes, We Want Our Lives Back,” featured placards reading “Phase Three Victims United, We Stand for Our Rights”, “Support Fund, Support Our Needs, Not Just Ceremonies”, and “Stop the Suffering, Start the Building”.
The affected individuals wanted prompt action to address their plight and provide necessary support to rebuild their lives.
They demanded transparency and effective communication regarding the project’s timeline and progress.
Mr. Joseph Abu, the victims’ secretary, led the protestors to the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal Assembly premises to present their petition.
The municipal coordinating director, Emmanuel Gyan, received their petition on behalf of the Municipal Chief Executive, Dr. Isaac Dsamani, urging them to let peace prevail.
