News
Appiatse dead to be buried
All is set for the burial of those who died tragically at Appiatse on Thursday, January 20, 2022, at about 1:35 pm, when a vehicle carting explosives to a mining site had an accident killing a number of persons in the process.
About 13 people were said to have died on that fateful day along the Tarkwa-Bogoso Highway.
Nine out of the 13 dead bodies would be buried on Saturday, March 11, 2022, which three bodies were being prepared for burial this Friday, March 4, 2022, as announced by the Appiatse Disaster Relief Committee.
In an interview with The Spectator, the PRO of the Committee, Mr Thywill Quarshie said, each family would be given GHc6,000 to cover the cost of the funeral including coffins which would be borne by the Prestea -Huni Valley Assembly with support from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
“Families of the four persons have explained that funerals are held in every three months in their hometowns and the next will be in June, so if they don’t bury their bodies now, it means June and that would mean an extra cost. But, we don’t want that. So, the committee has agreed and approved that they will take their bodies away for burial.” he added.
Mr Quarshie mentioned that burial services for nine other persons would be held at the park( the explosion site) at Appiatse on March 11.
He told The Spectator “We have finally agreed that the funerals would have to be done this month across board, so that there will be no excuses.”
Meanwhile, autopsy on 13 dead bodies affected by the explosion at Appiatse, near Bogoso, has been completed, the Municipal Chief Executive of Prestea -Huni Valley, Dr Isaac Dasmani, has said.
Dr Dasmani gave the names of the deceased as Ekow Jackson, 40, Akua Nyame,80, Michael Afriyie, 19, Justice Kwesi Takwa, 21, Emmanuel Quainoo, 29, Enock Obeng, 40, Ella Baidoo, 15 months and Isaac Benny, 45.
The rest were Emmanuel Awinguda, 24, Daniel Armah, 35, Martin Quaicoe, 40, Eric Gyimah, 24, and Isaac Anane, 35.
Dr. Dasmani, who is the Chairman of the Appiatse Disaster Relief Committee, indicated that a Consultant Pathologist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi,Dr. Paul Ossei Sampene, completed autopsy on Saturday, February 12, at the VIP Mortuary at Ayensukrom No.1, near Bogoso in the Western Region.
“Already, the deceased were identified by their families on February 4.” he added.
The Spectator recalls that, at about 1.35pm, on Thursday, January 20, Detective Corporal Isaac Kamanim of Firearms Unit/Tarkwa, was escorting explosives from MAXAM Company, Tarkwa, in a DAF van with registration number WR 2252-18, driven by Alfred Pappoe to Chirano Gold Mines in the Western North Region.
On reaching a section of the road between Bogoso and Bawdie, a motor cycle rider from the opposite direction ran under the van carrying the explosives.
“The motor cycle caught fire, ignited the van which burst into flames and exploded. Driver sustained deep cut on the head and was rushed to Government Hospital, Tarkwa. The Police escort escaped unhurt. A number of people including the motor bike rider are feared dead.” a police report added.
It said, the extensive damage affected a nearby ECG transformer, with a number of nearby buildings razed down while a portion of the road was also damaged.
“Some vehicles plying that road were also damaged with the passengers and inhabitants sustaining various degrees of injury.” it said.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Takoradi
![Mrs Georgina Quaittoo [third from right] pose with some members of the Association Photos Okai Elizabeth.](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mrs-Georgina-Quaittoo-third-from-right-pose-with-some-members-of-the-Association-Photos-Okai-Elizabeth.jpg)
THE Times Ladies Association, a group consisting of female staff of the New Times Corporation (NTC), on Monday commemorated this year’s International Women’s Day with a call on women to empower themselves through education, unity and healthy living to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The event, held at the NTC’s boardroom, was attended by management members and staff of the corporation and was to celebrate the achievements of women and reflect on their role in society.
In her address, the President of the association, Mrs Georgina N.M Quaittoo, said the global celebration, marked annually on March 8, recognised the economic, political and social achievements of women while raising awareness about gender equality.
Although the international celebration fell on Sunday, she explained that the association decided to mark the occasion on March 9 to enable members to participate fully and commemorate the day in their own way.
Speaking on this year’s theme: ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,’ and the global campaign theme: ‘Give to Gain,’ she the association had over the years worked tirelessly to support the growth and progress of the corporation despite the challenges they faced.
Urged members to commit themselves to deeper service to humanity and the advancement of women. She said women were unique, resilient and invaluable to society, stating that they deserved respect, appreciation, kindness and love for the vital roles they played in families, workplaces and communities.
According to her, members of the President, who is also the Editor of The Spectator newspaper, encouraged members to empower themselves academically and take advantage of opportunities to improve their lives and careers.
She also urged them to maintain healthy lifestyles by going for regular medical check-ups, exercise regularly, get enough rest and support one another.
Moreover, she advised members to accept leadership positions when given the opportunity and to exhibit qualities such as hard work, confidence, patience, compassion and responsibility in both their homes and workplaces.
Contributing, the Chanel Marketing and Circulation Manager, Mr Alfred Koomson, said women played critical roles in society and deserved to be supported and appreciated.
He urged men to recognise that they were often vulnerable species without the care, support and contributions of women in their lives.
He, therefore, commended women for the invaluable roles they play as mothers, caregivers, professionals and leaders, stressing that society would be incomplete without them.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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GHANA celebrated her 69th Independence Anniversary last Friday with colourful parades across all 16 regions of the country.
This year’s theme: ‘Reflect, Review, Reset,’ emphasised the importance of reflecting on the nation’s journey, assessing its current state, and planning for a brighter future.
At the Jubilee House, dignitaries present were President John Mahama, Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, former Presidents, Akufo-Addo and John Agyekum Kufuor, behalf of the President, former President of Tanzania, and other distinguished guests.
The President, John Dramani Mahama, addressed the nation at the seat of government whiles Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives addressed their various assemblies on.
As part of the celebrations, school children paraded and displayed their marching skills whiles others performed cultural and other social activities to mark the day across the regions.
