By Richard Ahiagbah, the Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), underscores the significance of the Appiatse reconstruction project as a testament to the care demonstrated by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration towards the people of Ghana. He emphasizes that this initiative exemplifies the commitment of the government to uplifting communities and improving lives.
In light of this, Mr. Ahiagbah calls upon Ghanaians to support Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the NPP, in the upcoming 2024 general elections. He believes that granting Dr. Bawumia the opportunity to serve as president will enable him to further advance the development agenda and continue to positively impact the nation.
“Appiatse reconstruction, just look at it! Akufo-Addo cares. Vote for Bawumia to do even more for Ghana,” he wrote on his X platform.
Two years following the tragic event that devastated Appiatse, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has officially commissioned and handed over a 124-unit housing project, marking the resettlement of the community’s residents.
The newly constructed units, ranging from one-bedroom to seven-bedroom accommodations, were inaugurated by the Vice President on Thursday, May 2, 2024. These homes boast enhanced amenities, including a market, six-unit classroom and kindergarten blocks, internal roadways, access to water and electricity, a drainage system, and water storage facilities.
In his address to the residents and chiefs of Appiatse and neighboring communities, Dr. Bawumia began by honoring the memory of those who tragically lost their lives in the incident, offering words of solace to their bereaved families.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia acknowledged the completion of Phase II of the Appiatse Reconstruction Project as a testament to the resilience, compassion, and unwavering spirit of the people of Appiatse, as well as the nation as a whole.
He expressed heartfelt appreciation to President Akufo-Addo for his unwavering dedication and commitment to the resettlement of the people of Appiatse into modern, environmentally sustainable housing, ensuring their peace of mind and prosperity.
Highlighting the President’s personal involvement and steadfast interest in the Appiatse Reconstruction Project, Dr. Bawumia emphasized, “President Akufo-Addo’s initial contribution to the Appiatse Support Fund exemplifies his compassion and steadfast commitment to the restoration of this community.”
“In addition to his donation, President Akufo-Addo directed that Five Million Dollars (US$5,000,000.00) out of the Six Million Dollars (US$6,000,000.00) administrative fine imposed on the company at the centre of the explosion, be paid to the Appiatse Support Fund to support victims of the incident and the rebuilding of this community. Such a selfless and compassionate gesture,”he said.
Further elucidating on the pivotal contributions of key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources under the leadership of Minister Samuel A. Jinapor, Dr. Bawumia recounted the swift response of the government following the tragedy. He highlighted how the ministry promptly initiated measures to alleviate the burdens faced by residents and set in motion a resettlement process.
Affectionately referring to the Lands Minister as the ‘Bulldozer’, Dr. Bawumia lauded his dedicated involvement and commitment to realizing the Appiatse project. Additionally, he commended the members of the Appiatse Reconstruction Committee, led by former Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources for Forestry, Benito Owusu Bio, for their diligent efforts in this endeavor.
“We are grateful to all who offered support in our time of need, whether through words of comfort, a listening ear, provision of a need or a temporary place of abode or a contribution thereto; but very importantly to all – both corporate and individual Ghanaians – who, out of the generosity of their hearts, contributed in cash and kind to support the rebuilding of the new Appiatse we commission today. It is my prayer that the Almighty God will, abundantly, replenish whatever you sacrificed. We are also grateful to the various committees, the Appiatse Support Fund, the Appiatse Implementation Committee, the experts, consultants, contractors and many others whose selfless dedication has brought us this far.
“To the indefatigable Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, who has led this project from the beginning to date, I say thank you for your exemplary leadership and dedication. Your commitment and relentless zeal in seeing to the completion of this project has been unwavering. This is why I refer to him as the “Bulldozer Minister.” He just gets the work done. I am aware of the several visits you made to this community to assess progress of work and to ensure that the contractors execute the project on schedule. The people of Appiatse are grateful for your services. I count on your dedication to see to the completion of Phase 3 of this consequential project, he said.
The Vice President gave the strongest assurance that the government has employed various measures and interventions since the incident to prevent a recurrence. He also assured the chiefs and residents that the government will continue to provide support for them and ensure that their living conditions improve.
On his part, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, commended the residents and chiefs of Appiatse for their collaborative efforts and patience throughout the period.
He singled out Dr. Bawumia for praise as a leader who, right from the onset, provided visionary and fatherly guidance to the people of Appiatse and stood with them every step of the way. He recalled that a day after the incident, the Vice President visited the grieving community and assured them of his commitment to turning their grief into joy and fulfilling his promise.
He also commended the committee led by Benito Owusu-Bio for their pivotal role in the project and expressed empathy for those who lost their lives in the process. He acknowledged the contributions of Barbara Oteng Gyasi, the Chairperson of the Minerals Commission and the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary candidate for the area, for her dedication to the project.
Benito Owusu-Bio, the Chairperson of the Appiatse Reconstruction Project, expressed gratitude to the government and conveyed his excitement about the completion of the project.
The ceremony, attended by esteemed government officials including the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, and the Minister for Information designate, Hon. Fatimatu Abubakar, witnessed Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia laying the foundation for the construction of a 70-unit housing project, marking Phase Three of the Appiatse Reconstruction Project.
