Appiatse Four Years On: Inside the town ravaged by deadly explosion

Nearly four years after a catastrophic explosion devastated the community of Appiatse near Bogoso, questions persist about the pace of reconstruction, the welfare of survivors, and whether Ghana has strengthened safeguards around the transport of mining explosives.

A recent EIB Network report examines the state of Apiatse, the struggles of survivors, and the broader lessons for mining transport safety and community resilience in Ghana.

'You left a despondent educational system' – Haruna Iddrisu hits back at Adutwum

The reporter, speaking to survivors, was told by one of them that they had each been compensated with just GH¢200 and had since been abandoned.

“No one has come to our aid. When the incident happened, we were given only GH¢200 each, even though we have been provided shelter,” she said.

Others also said they had not yet received any compensation from the government.

One resident recounted how she was affected by the blast, explaining that metallic pins had to be surgically removed from her body.

The video also captures phase one of a newly structured building layout, where some blocks already show cracks while others remain incomplete.

About the Appiatse fire disaster

On January 20, 2022, a truck operated by Maxam and transporting approximately 10 tonnes of mining explosives from Tarkwa to the Chirano Gold Mine collided with a motorcycle on the Tarkwa-Bogoso road. The motorcycle became lodged under the vehicle, sparking a fire.

'You must never be trusted again' – Dafeamekpor blasts IMF over SOE report

Roughly 45 minutes later, the load detonated, producing a powerful blast that left a large crater in the road, levelled much of the nearby village, damaged hundreds of buildings, and killed at least 13 people while injuring scores of others.

An Appiatse Support Fund was later established, and reconstruction began in phases.

The first phase delivered 124 new houses, which were inaugurated and handed over in 2024 to accommodate a significant number of displaced residents.

See video below.

VKB/BAI

“I’m a Single Mother, I Sell Pure Water to Care for Him” – Woman Cries Over Son’s School Placement