The Bureau of Public Safety has advocated for the initiation of criminal proceedings against individuals whose actions and negligence played a part in the explosion that took place in Anto-Aboso, located within the Shama District of the Western Region.
This tragic event unfolded on Sunday, September 10, leading to the regrettable loss of four lives and causing numerous others to suffer from various degrees of injuries.
In a conversation with Citi News, Nana Yaw Akwada, the executive director of the Bureau of Public Safety, stressed the vital importance of ensuring accountability through legal channels for those responsible for this unfortunate incident.
“Looking at the extent of destruction and the fact that lives have been lost, we should be looking beyond administrative sanctions of persons whose act of commission or omission may have led to this incident in less than two years after Appiatse.
“Criminal prosecutions must be pressed against such persons at all costs and people must come to the realisation that willful negligence or inaction that leads to fatal workplace incidents is criminal and must be sanctioned as such.”
Nana Yaw Akwada also urged for an unbiased assessment of safety protocols at all mining sites across the country to guarantee the implementation of improved safety standards.
“I will also recommend an immediate independent reassessment to be conducted across all mining sites nationwide with respect to the manufacturing, transportation, storage, and use of explosive materials and I believe that if we take this step, we can certainly make some good strides in today’s occurrences within the mining sector.”
After preliminary investigations, the Minerals Commission in a press statement issued on Monday, September 11, has revealed that the site of the explosion is a subject of an application by a company with the name Sta Addsams Enterprise.
The company, the Commission said, has applied for a Restricted Mining Lease for granite.
The recommendation for the company to be considered for the grant of a formal lease was granted on 20th March 2023.
According to the Minerals Commission, at the time of the explosion, the company had not been issued a lease by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
It is expected that those found culpable will be sanctioned after the completion of a full investigation.