Following the explosion that ripped apart the nearby village of Appiate on 20 January 2022, different accounts of erroneousness that led to the blast have been reported.
A truck carrying explosives to a gold mine reportedly crashed with a motorcycle near the town of Bogoso. This reportedly caused a fire, leading to the explosion about 15 minutes later.
Although the police say correct transportation procedures were followed, this claim has been disputed by eyewitnesses at the scene of the blast that killed 13 and injured 59.
READ MORE: Bogoso explosion: Truck driver, motorcyclist and police escort still alive – Police
Speaking on Citi FM, ACP Kwesi Ofori said the Tarkwa Divisional Police duly signed and approved a police escort for the truck which was transporting explosives to Chirano Gold Mines.
“The police administration will like to place on record that the vehicle in question was under escort and documents were prepared and given to the escort team to escort the product to its destination. It was properly signed by the Tarkwa Divisional Police and there is no foul play at all…The police officer has been interrogated and has given his opinion on the matter,” ACP Kwesi Ofori explained.
However, the Chief of Bepo Traditional Area, Nana Attah Kojo Bremibi, has challenged the Ghana Police Service to provide evidence that the truck that transported explosives to the Chirano Gold Mines had a police escort.
The Chief under whose jurisdiction the explosion at Appiate occurred, said all information available to him shows that the truck had no police escort.
He was speaking during a working visit by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, as well as Works and Housing Minister, Francis Asenso-Boakye.
“What I want to tell the Minister is that the tanker that was carrying the explosives had no police escort. People in Appiate were around when the tanker was entering the town. When the accident happened, it was in the full glare of the people so if anyone should say there was a police escort, that will be false. If indeed there was a police escort, the question will be where was the police at the time. If anybody wants to challenge this, we would want the individual to come before us to do so.”
The driver of the truck managed to escape the blast with minor injuries, as well as the motorcycle rider, according to police.
Over 170 families were directly affected by the incident.
