
Families of the thirteen people who died in the Apeate explosion have finally agreed to arrange mass burial service for their loved ones after initial vehement protests.
The consent follows series of meetings with the local relief committee and assurance by the committee that the compensation issue raised by them will be considered after burial of their dead.
It also follows a pledge by hospital authorities to release postmortem report on each of the victims to their families before the burial service on March 11, 2022.
The grieving families had demanded compensation packages from Maxam Ghana Limited, the company at the centre of the explosion that occurred in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western Region. However, they did not suggest or quote any amount as their compensation packages.
This entrenched position was taken out of fear of being denied any such package after burial of their relations. The bereaved families insisted they would not allow any mass burial for their loved ones, until some packages were given them by management of the company whose alleged negligence caused the explosion.
Some of the families who spoke to the Daily Statesman had said the demand was non-negotiable and that the bodies of their dead relations would remain at the morgue if Maxam failed to pay them compensations.
Green light
In response, the Dasmani Committee said they had nothing to fear since there were discussions between Maxam and government on adequate compensation packages for each of the bereaved families.
According to a source, this package is completely different from the remaining five million dollars fine on the company that had been directed by the President to be paid into the Apeate Fund.
The source said the committee would give each of the families GH₵6,000 to cover the funeral expenses, stressing that any extra cost incurred by transporting the bodies outside Apeate would be borne by the respective family.
Additionally, the source said the committee would stop paying mortuary fees on March 10, adding that any families who continue to keep their bodies there after the said date would be compelled to foot the bill.
Information available to the Daily Statesman indicates that 11 of the bodies will be buried at Apeate, Bogoso, Sefwi Bekwai and Takoradi, while one will be transported to Zebila in Northern Region.