Dr. Solomon Owusu Writes: Negligence, Regulation Lapses And Institutional Failures Caused The Apiatse, Bogoso Catastrophic Disaster

A Ghanaian mining consultant based in USA, Dr. Solomon Owusu has linked the tragic incident that happened at Apiatse to institutional failures from both the regulatory authorities and the explosives company. The town is located between Bogoso and Bawdie in the Western Region of Ghana and the disaster occurred on Thursday January 20, 2022. According to the experienced mining engineer, ineffective explosives regulations, governmental control and strict supervision were not applied to ensure safe conveyance of the explosives. The mining expert has disagreed with the claim by the Police PRO that the service “procedurally” escorted the explosives truck. In his view, there was no way the truck could collide head-on with a motorcycle, if the due protocols for explosives transportation escort had been followed.
 
According to Dr. Owusu, information he has gathered from some of the residents around Tarkwa and Bogoso areas indicate that MAXAM Ghana Company Ltd had subcontracted the explosives transportation to Arthranns Logistics Company, hence the truck that was involved in the tragedy did not belong to the explosives company itself. Currently, it is unclear whether the truck had certification from the Minerals Commission and satisfied the requirements for an explosive truck, as enshrined in the Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Explosives Regulations, 2012, Legislative Instrument (LI 2177). Also, it is too early to justify whether the truck driver was trained and certified to transport explosives but that aspect is left with the investigations team.
 
As investigations are currently in progress, there are different views on what actually happened, as the initial police report contradicts information from some of the eyewitnesses, some of the victims and the natural resources ministry. For example, the police reported that a motorcycle collided head-on with the truck but the ministry of lands and natural resources reported a tricycle instead. Again, the motorcycle rider who is alive has denied any collision with the truck, after interviewing with some journalists, stating that another vehicle hit his motorcycle from the back. These make it premature for suggesting any meaningful cause of the incident at this time but the experienced mining engineer, Dr. Owusu insists that negligence from the explosives company might contribute immensely to the unfortunate incident.

 

 

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