The Government has officially commenced Phase Three of the Appiatse Redevelopment Project with a sod-cutting ceremony aimed at providing permanent accommodation for the remaining households affected by the devastating Appiatse explosion of January 20, 2022.

The third phase of the redevelopment project is expected to deliver 69 additional housing units for affected households. The ceremony brought together the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah; the Member of Parliament for Prestea-Huni Valley constituency, Robert Wisdom Cudjoe; the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson; the Municipal Chief Executive, Matthew Ayeh; traditional leaders, representatives of the Appiatse Reconstruction Committee and Fund Management Committee, the Local Implementation Committee, the Prestea-Huni Valley Municipal Assembly, consultants, contractors, security agencies, the media and community members.

The redevelopment project follows the explosion of January 20, 2022, which resulted in deaths, injuries, destruction of property and the displacement of residents of Appiatse.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Divisional Chief of Beppo, Nana Atta Kojo Brembi II, described the commencement of Phase Three as a significant milestone in efforts to restore the community. He stressed that the redevelopment was not only about constructing houses but also about restoring security, dignity, privacy, belonging and stability to families affected by the disaster.

Nana Atta Kojo Brembi II commended the Government, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Appiatse Reconstruction and Fund Management Committee, the Prestea-Huni Valley Municipal Assembly, traditional authorities and other stakeholders for their contributions towards the redevelopment. He also commended the people of Appiatse for their patience, resilience and cooperation throughout the redevelopment process.

He appealed to the Government to consider the construction of a Chief’sPalace and a Junior High School (JHS) as part of the third phase. He also called for the speedy payment of outstanding land compensation to affected community members.

The Municipal Chief Executive, Matthew Ayeh, expressed appreciation to the Government and all stakeholders for their continued commitment to the redevelopment of Appiatse.

He said the commencement of Phase Three marked another important step towards restoring hope and improving the living conditions of residents affected by the 2022 disaster.

The MCE called for close collaboration among the Municipal Assembly, contractors, traditional authorities, government agencies and residents to ensure the successful implementation of the project. He emphasised the need for quality construction, adherence to timelines, effective supervision and proper coordination throughout the construction period.

Mr Robert Wisdom Cudjoe, Member of Parliament for Prestea-Huni Valley, reflected on the devastation caused by the explosion and expressed appreciation for the commencement of another phase of reconstruction. He raised concerns about construction materials used in some earlier works and noted that affected residents had expressed a preference for concrete blocks for Phase Three. He assured residents that the concerns raised regarding the earlier construction would be taken into consideration and called for the use of quality materials and adherence to approved construction standards.

The MP also urged beneficiaries to channel their concerns through the Local Implementation Committee rather than confronting contractors directly. He further called for accountability regarding reports of possible diversion of project materials, including cement and iron rods, and urged the appropriate authorities to investigate such concerns. Hon. Cudjoe also highlighted concerns regarding compensation and the responsibilities of Maxam Company towards persons who suffered injuries, property losses and livelihood disruptions as a result of the 2022 explosion.

The Western Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Nelson, described the commencement of Phase Three as an important milestone in the Government’s efforts to fully redevelop Appiatse. He emphasised that the project was not simply about putting up buildings but about restoring the dignity, security, privacy and sense of belonging of families displaced by the disaster. The Regional Minister commended the people of Appiatse for their patience, resilience and cooperation and urged residents and all stakeholders to remain peaceful and supportive of the contractors and implementing agencies.

He assured stakeholders that the Western Regional Coordinating Council would continue to provide the necessary coordination and oversight to address challenges that could affect the timely completion of the project.

The director of architecture of AESL, Architect Basil Akushi, said the commencement of Phase Three demonstrated the Government’s commitment to completing the redevelopment project. According to AESL, Phase Three would provide 69 housing units in six categories, comprising 17 one-bedroom units, 23 two-bedroom units, 14 three-bedroom units, 12 four-bedroom units, one five-bedroom unit and two six-bedroom units. He explained that the third phase had been designed as an improvement on earlier phases, with emphasis on creating a green and sustainable development. Mr Akushi also indicated that procurement arrangements were sufficiently advanced to enable the project to be executed within approximately one year.

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, described the sod-cutting ceremony as a long-awaited milestone towards restoring the Appiatse community. He recalled the devastating impact of the January 20, 2022 explosion and noted that the effects of the disaster continued to be felt by affected families.

Mr Buah explained that 124housing units had been delivered under Phase One, while 50 households had been compensated under Phase Two. Phase Three, he said, would provide 69 additional housing units for the remaining affected households. He disclosed that the original designs had been reviewed to reflect the needs and feedback of beneficiaries, with the new development intended to make Appiatse safer, stronger, greener and more resilient.

The Minister urged contractors, consultants and the technical team to attach the highest level of importance to the project, stressing that the structures would ultimately become the homes of affected families. He also called on the Local Implementation Committee and residents to take ownership of the project, monitor its implementation and channel concerns through the appropriate structures. Hon. Buah further stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the management of donated materials and other resources associated with the redevelopment.

The commencement of Phase Three marks another major step towards the completion of the Appiatse Redevelopment Project and the provision of permanent accommodation for the remaining affected households.

Stakeholders at the ceremony reaffirmed the need for continued collaboration, effective monitoring, quality construction and timely completion to ensure that the 69 housing units are delivered to the required standards and within the expected timeframe.

Matilda Ansah, ISD