PNC solidarises with Appiatse residents

The People’s National Convention (PNC) has expressed sadness over by the disaster that claimed about 13 lives and injured scores of people at Appiatse near Bogosu in the Western Region.

In a statement signed by Ms Janet Nabila, the PNC General Secretary, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Tema, the party said equally disturbing was the razing of the entire community by the heavy explosion.

“As a party, our hearts go to the bereaved families and the scores of people who are injured and undergoing medical treatment,” it said.

“We also commend the Government, security agencies, private and voluntary organisations and individuals for their endless show of support and statesmanship to alleviate the pain of our compatriots”.

The PNC noted that given the depth of the accident and the degree of destruction, “we wish to add our voice to calls for dispassionate investigations into the incident to unravel the actual cause and extent of the damage.”

It said that should be the main fulcrum to herald the implementation of medium to long-term intervention to revive the fortunes of the community.

“As a developing country, we need to continuously examine our safety protocols to bring them up to speed with international best practices. One life lost to a safety breach is one too many.”

“Sadly, this is more of the norm than the exception,” the PNC said, adding that the country had safety issues, which needed urgent attention.

Countless number of Ghanaians suffered injuries in their lines of duty as a result of breaches of simple safety protocols, it said.

“We as a country need to seize this moment to fashion out a comprehensive safety policy to consolidate our progressive gains on our developmental efforts.”

It said prevention of domestic and industrial fires, and protocols in managing explosive materials and evacuation through high occupancy environments should be reviewed and strengthened.

“The moment has come for government to lead this crusade and we, as a party, pledge our overwhelming support to realising the success of this agenda.”