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The Government of Ghana has cut sod to begin work on the third phase of Appiatse’s reconstruction.
It follows an investigative report by broadcast journalist Ekow Boakye on the state of Appiatse’s relief camp.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has revealed plans to build 69 housing units for households stranded there.
The 69 households have been in the relief camp, a temporary community, for the past four years in neglect and poor conditions. Residents of the relief camp faced challenges with poor accommodation and limited access to potable water.
At the sod-cutting ceremony, the plan was unveiled for new housing units ranging from one-bedroom to six-bedroom homes, designed to meet the varying needs of affected families.
The project is also expected to incorporate a more environmentally conscious approach to community development. Addressing the gathering, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, assured the residents that the project is to help restore hope.
“It is my hope that as we commence the construction of the final phase of this project to settle the remaining households, we’ll be able to restore some hope. Our response is guided by one clear objective, to help the affected people rebuild their lives and restore hope,” he said.
Lands Minister and other dignitaries break soil to begin construction. Photo Credit: Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
Philip Amponsah, the Public Relations Officer of the Appiatse Local Organising Committee, thanked the government and assured that residents and stakeholders would continue to support efforts to ensure the project is completed.
“We first of all would like to say we are very grateful to the government for taking up this great step to resettle Appiatse, the rest of us. So there will be a total difference as compared to the first phase because the first phase, based on the defects or the challenges we saw, concerns were raised and thank God that the government has listened to our cry.”
The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, commended residents for their patience and resilience throughout the reconstruction process.
“As we commend this final phase, I wish to reaffirm the firm commitment of the Western Regional Coordinating Council to play its facilitation and coordination role to ensure a successful completion of this project.”
Now, work is expected to move swiftly to alleviate the pain and discomfort of the 69 families expecting to be relocated.
The residents’ plight began on 20th January, 2022, when a Maxam Ghana Limited truck carting explosives along the Appiatse road in the Western Region, Ghana, crashed into a motorcycle, detonating minutes later. Thirteen people died directly from the impact and an additional five in aftercare, while several others were seriously injured.
