A group identified as Victims of Appiatse Disaster Association ( VOADA) in the Western Region are demanding accountability of funds raised in their names and details about the relief package being rolled out.
Addressing a press conference, Chairman of the Association, Kingsford Philip Amponsah expressed disappointment in the manner government is handling the incident.
According to him, Maxam Company Limited has been left off the hook without taking responsibility for what happened to them.
“This is not a natural disaster and government must not handle this case as such. The companies involved in the transportation of the explosives, Maxam Ghana Limited must bear full responsibility for the deadly explosion on the Tarkwa-Bogoso-Ayamfuri road in Western Region, apologize and adequately compensate all victims,” He emphasized.
He thus called for a redesign of the current room size which is 10 by 10 to the standard 12 by 12.
The Association also called for a change in the Relief Fund Managers as they lack confidence in them.
“We are also demanding accountability from the local committee. The Appiatse reconstruction committee must redesign the room size which is 10 by 10 to the standard 12 by 12 or 13 and 14. We are demanding re-engagement with persons affected and owners of homes being pulled down without delay, “Mr Amponsah added.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Spice FM’s Adzekyee Mu Nsem, the Public Relations Officer of the Appiatse Disaster Relief Committee, Thy Will Quarshie explained that the Committee is managing the situation and implored on the Association to exercise restraint.
” They have 5 representatives on the Committee which includes the divisional Chief and Assembly Member making it 7 members from the community who help in decision making.
If they have these members on the Committee, and they still have problems then maybe they did not choose the right people. It is then up to them to choose the right kind of people to come on board.
We, as a committee is doing all we can. Engagement is ongoing, The ongoing resettlement has become possible because of donations from benevolent organisations and not that of any mining Company.
We are just adding facilities to the houses, and not manufacturing any additional land sizes, so maybe you can’t get the same comfort before the disaster.
It’s a disaster we are managing so I plead with them to exercise patience and continue to do what they are doing as a group but be measured in some of the wild allegations levelled against the committee members.
The fact that you are a victim does not give you the chance to defame someone, if you feel anyone has stolen and you have evidence, report it to the Police,” He said.
