News
Explosion of two tankers, kills boy 2, at Apremdo
On Wednesday, a two-year-old boy died when two diesel tankers exploded and caught fire, near the Apollo traffic light junction at Apremdo, in the Effia–Kwesimintsim Municipality.
The deceased was burnt beyond recognition, while his auntie, Maame Abena, a MOMO agent, narrowly escaped from the fire.
The Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly (EKMA), has established that operators of the fuel tankers which exploded and caused fire at a parking space, near the Apremdo market, on Wednesday, have no permit to run such business at the premise.
It stressed that the operators have only been granted permits to erect temporal structures for businesses “and not to use the place as a parking lot or distribution point for fuel”.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Effia-Kwesimintsim, Kojo Acquah, told journalists after the fire incident that, the tanker operators have been running their operations at the blind side of the assembly, adding that “the trucks have not been given any permit”.
He has, however, indicated that EKMA would undertake a thorough investigation into the accident, assuring that, the necessary actions and sanctions would be applied against persons or groups whose negligence caused the disaster.
Sources narrated that, the child was left to sleep in one of the containers which served as MOMO joint at a parking place near the Total Filling station, at Apremdo.
The inferno, which began about 1:30 pm, sent thick dark clouds, billowing into the atmosphere and caused people at the scene to run for their dear lives.
For about four hours, the raging fire swept the entire parking area and destroyed six containers used as mechanical spare-parts shop, a drinking spot, an eatery, a MOMO joint, and an Opel taxi cab.
Reports at the scene indicated that, the fully loaded fuel tankers were parked at the parking location(yard) behind the Total Filling station, awaiting directives to discharge fuel at the pump stations before the explosion occurred.
Eye witnesses spoke about earlier efforts of crew aboard two fire tenders, who made frantic efforts to control the raging fire from spreading to other areas including the Total Filling station while an anxious milling crowd at the scene prayed it did not affect the nearby ‘Abenbenbobom market’ at Apremdo.
“I heard an explosion and the place was suddenly consumed by the fire. My brother, the inferno here is no joke,” an eyewitness recalled.
The Public Relations Officer of the Western Regional Command of the Ghana Fire Service, Divisional Officer 111, Emmanuel Kojo Bonney, said six fire tenders were deployed to the scene to control the fire, adding that “it took our team about an hour and forty-three minutes to ‘tame’ the wild fire”.
Complaining about the crowd which milled at the fire scene, he said, “In fire-fighting, every second counts so when the crowd invades the scene, we have to meander through the crowd to fight the fire…this delays our time in fighting the fire. So the police had a hectic time dispersing them.”
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, TAKORADI
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Ghana will host a High-Level Next Steps Conference on Reparatory Justice from June 17 to June 19, 2026, in Accra.
According to the Ministry, the conference will be held under the auspices of President John Dramani Mahama, who also serves as the African Union Champion for Reparations.
The conference follows the recent adoption of a landmark United Nations General Assembly resolution declaring the trafficking and enslavement of Africans during the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity.
The Ministry said the resolution received the support of 123 member states and marked a major step toward global recognition of historical injustices and the need for reparatory justice.
It explained that the conference will bring together world leaders, foreign affairs ministers, academics, historians, jurists, activists and international organisations to discuss the next phase of the reparations agenda.
According to the Ministry, discussions will focus on developing practical global frameworks and policy approaches to advance reparatory justice.
The conference is also expected to produce recommendations and action plans to guide future continental and international engagements on reparations.
As part of activities for the event, Ghana will host what officials described as the first-ever joint Juneteenth commemoration with African Americans at the Christiansborg Castle on June 19.
The Ministry noted that the event will provide participants with an opportunity to reflect on the history of the transatlantic slave trade while promoting remembrance, healing and justice.
It added that the conference would strengthen Africa’s collective voice on reparatory justice and deepen collaboration between African states, the diaspora and international partners.
The Ministry said further details on registration, participation and accreditation are available on the conference website.
It stated that President Mahama and the people of Ghana look forward to welcoming participants from around the world to Accra for what it described as a defining conference on reparatory justice.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in Libreville, Gabon, to participate in the inaugural Libreville International Forum for Innovation and Development, a high-level event that brings together Heads of State, government officials, global investors, and technology experts.
The forum, being held under the patronage of Mr Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, President of the Republic of Gabon, is on the theme “Political Stability, Business Climate, and Artificial Intelligence: Catalysts for Growth.”
The forum seeks to position Gabon as a regional innovation hub and key destination for international investment.
Organisers are holding the Forum to inaugurate the newly constructed Omar Bongo Ondimba Congress Centre, which also serves as the venue for the Forum and as a future centre for international dialogue.
The forum will culminate in the “Libreville Declaration,” which will showcase the strategic political leaders’ commitments to enhancing governance, transparency, and digital integration across the continent.
President Mahama remains a strong advocate for fostering partnerships that bridge the gap between government policy and private-sector growth to ensure inclusive development.
