By Arnold Neliba
BOGOSO, JANUARY 28, 2022 (CISA)-The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has appealed to Catholic members and people of goodwill to channel their donations through Bishop John Baptist Attakruh of the Catholic diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi who will present to the victims of Appiatse explosion.
The appeal was contained in a statement issued by Most Reverend Philip Naameh president of GCBC on January 26 while expressing solidarity and sympathy with families of victims in last Thursdays tragic explosion at Appiatse, near Bogoso.
“We, the members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), wish to express our profound sympathy to all the victims of the fatal explosion at Appiatse in the Western Region of Ghana”, the statement said.
The bishops commended the Government and other stakeholders and donors for their prompt response and interventions to bring relief to the victims. They however challenged the government to draw lessons from the incident by enforcing laws and regulations to prevent similar occurrences.
According to the police, the explosion which claimed 14 people occurred when a truck filled with explosives for mining collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the explosion at Bogoso-Appiatse. About 500 buildings were destroyed in the explosion, displacing over 500 people.
“It is our hope and prayer that as a nation, we shall learn the needed lessons from this latest fatal development and ensure that regulations are strictly enforced in the country and the appropriate punishments meted out to deserving offenders. May the necessary measures be taken to avert similar occurrences in the future,” it adds.
The prelates assured the victims continuous prayers and wishing them speedy recovery praying for “strength and consolation for the families who lost their relatives. We also pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of those who have died.”
