SFG STATEMENT ON THE TRAGEDY AT APPIATE

The Socialist Movement of Ghana (SMG) joins the many Ghanaian institutions and
organizations in calling for a full-scale inquiry into the accident at Appiate in the Western
Region which has led to the death or injury of hundreds of poor inhabitants.
The inquiry must establish the full circumstances leading to the tragedy and whether the
regulatory authorities could have taken preventive action or actions. It must also establish full
liability for the accident and make recommendations for the rehabilitation of the residents of
Appiate, including the families of those who unfortunately died, the injured and those who
have been rendered homeless.

The SMG takes note of the fact that the residents of Appiate are poor working people
who have not benefitted from the exploitation of the natural resources in their area. Indeed,
many of them are workers of the multi-national corporations who have managed to secure
government approval for their activities. The evidence is that these mining activities have led
to the degradation of the environment including the pollution of water resources and the
poisoning of the soil.

Available public information is that Kincross, the Canadian mining firm which
ordered the explosives had in excess of US$ 2billion at the end of last year and Maxam, the
Spanish company which supplied the explosives is a global leader in the manufacturing of
explosives. These companies have the resources to compensate the people of Apiate for their
pain and destruction of their village and the state has a responsibility to ensure that they do
just that.

In our view, all persons including corporate entities which engage in extraordinary
dangerous activities have to bear responsibilities for the effects of their actions even if they
are accidental.
The SMG calls on the people of Ghana in their organizations and institutions to join
the loud calls for accountability for the people of Appiate. We must not allow rich giant
corporations and their collaborators in state institutions to get away with the heinous injury
they cause to poor communities.

Signed.
Neenyi Oboe Baiden