The Ministry of Roads and Highways has announced that investigations are currently underway into the tragic blasting accident at Budumburam, which led to multiple fatalities and injuries.
According to the Ministry, this inquiry aims to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify the root causes to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“Yesterday at the Kasoa-Winneba Road Dualization Project site in Budumburam, Central Region, a blasting accident occurred, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
“The Ministry of Roads and Highways offers its condolences to the families and loved ones of those affected by this unfortunate incident”.
Ministry of Roads and Highways
The Ministry further expressed its commitment to ensuring safety and accountability in road construction activities and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
The Ministry also expressed its heartfelt wishes for a swift recovery to those who sustained injuries of varying degrees as a result of the accident.
According to the Ministry of Roads and Highways, it is actively coordinating with relevant agencies, including the Ghana Police Service and the National Disaster and Management Organisation (NADMO).
The Ministry asserted that this collaboration aims to accurately assess the number of casualties and injured individuals resulting from the accident.
The Ministry expressed its commitment to ensuring that all affected individuals receive the essential medical care and support they need.
Additionally, the Ministry indicated that it is working to facilitate communication among these institutions to streamline the response efforts and provide timely assistance to victims and their families during this challenging time.
However, the Ministry emphasized that the contractor has successfully conducted 21 controlled blasting exercises at the same site without incident, in collaboration with NADMO and the Ghana Police Service.
This track record, according to the Ministry, highlights the effectiveness of their safety protocols and coordination efforts.
In light of this, the Ministry assured the public that it would work closely with relevant state institutions to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
The Ministry of Roads emphasized that the findings will be disclosed to the public to ensure transparency and accountability.
Call for Accountability in Buduburam Explosion Intensifies
Meanwhile, Jonathan Antwi, an Occupational Safety and Health Professional, urged that the contractor responsible for the Buduburam explosion be held accountable for the tragic incident that resulted in three fatalities and injuries to over 30 individuals.
The explosion occurred on Monday, October 14, 2024, during a controlled rock blast as part of the ongoing road expansion project along the Kasoa-Buduburam stretch.
Mr. Antwi raised concerns about the contractor’s apparent failure to adhere to essential safety protocols, which could have prevented this disaster. “The contractor should be held responsible”.
He further emphasized the critical importance of adhering to the Mineral Commission’s LI 2177 Section 175, which outlines mandatory procedures that must be followed prior to conducting any blasting activities.
These regulations are designed to ensure the safety of workers and the surrounding community, outlining specific safety measures and protocols to mitigate risks associated with blasting.
Mr. Antwi stressed that y strictly following these guidelines, contractors can help prevent accidents and protect lives, highlighting the need for accountability in the industry.
“So if the blast has been done and investigations commence and it establishes that none of this information is found after the incident then they should be held responsible for their actions and inactions that took place”.
Jonathan Antwi
Mr. Antwi’s remarks underscore the rising public outrage surrounding this tragic event, with increasing demands for accountability and the strict enforcement of safety regulations in construction and blasting operations.
Many community members are expressing their frustration and concern, calling for urgent action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Consequently, there is a growing consensus that rigorous adherence to safety standards is essential to protect both workers and the public, as well as to ensure that such devastating accidents do not occur again.
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