The Socialist Movement of Ghana (SMG) is calling on Ghanaians to join in the calls for accountability for the Appiate explosion victims and not allow rich giant corporations and their collaborators in state institutions to get away with the heinous injuries they have caused to the poor community.
In a statement dated 24th January 2022, and signed by Neenyi Oboe Baiden, SMG averred that the calls by many Ghanaian institutions and organizations for a full-scale inquiry into the explosion which led to the death and injury of hundreds of poor inhabitants and properties are apt.
“It must also establish full liability for the accident and make recommendations for the rehabilitation of the residents of Appiate, including the families of those who unfortunately died, the injured and those who have been rendered homeless.”
Read full statement below:
SOCIALIST MOVEMENT OF GHANA (SMG)
STATEMENT ON THE TRAGEDY AT APPIATE
The Socialist Movement of Ghana (SMG) joins the many Ghanaian institutions and organizations in calling for a full-scale inquiry into the accident at Appiate in the Western Region which has led to the death or injury of hundreds of poor inhabitants.
The inquiry must establish the full circumstances leading to the tragedy and whether the regulatory authorities could have taken preventive action or actions. It must also establish full liability for the accident and make recommendations for the rehabilitation of the residents of Appiate, including the families of those who unfortunately died, the injured and those who have been rendered homeless.
The SMG takes note of the fact that the residents of Appiate are poor working people who have not benefitted from the exploitation of the natural resources in their area. Indeed, many of them are workers of the multi-national corporations who have managed to secure government approval for their activities. The evidence is that these mining activities have led to the degradation of the environment including the pollution of water resources and the poisoning of the soil.
Available public information is that Kincross, the Canadian mining firm which ordered the explosives had in excess of US$ 2billion at the end of last year and Maxam, the Spanish company which supplied the explosives is a global leader in the manufacturing of explosives. These companies have the resources to compensate the people of Apiate for their pain and destruction of their village and the state has a responsibility to ensure that they do just that.
In our view, all persons including corporate entities which engage in extraordinary dangerous activities have to bear responsibilities for the effects of their actions even if they are accidental.
The SMG calls on the people of Ghana in their organizations and institutions to join the loud calls for accountability for the people of Appiate. We must not allow rich giant corporations and their collaborators in state institutions to get away with the heinous injury they cause to poor communities.
Neenyi Oboe Baiden,
For General Secretary.
