In a distressing incident that unfolded in the Buoho community of the Afigya Kwabre South District in the Ashanti Region, over twenty residents experienced severe damage to their homes and properties following a blast conducted by a nearby quarry company, KAS Quarry Company. The explosion, which occurred on a Tuesday morning, led to the destruction of numerous household items, including electronic appliances like television sets. The quarry’s proximity to the residential area has raised alarm among locals, as repeated blasting activities have been a source of anxiety and panic within the community for an extended period. The destructive nature of these blasts has left residents feeling increasingly vulnerable in their own homes.
The citizens of Buoho are voicing their frustrations regarding these repeated incidents and are calling for immediate intervention from authorities to address the perilous risks posed by the quarry’s operations. The community’s patience appears to be wearing thin, chiefly due to the magnitude of damage suffered, which has underscored a pressing need for systemic change. Residents describe a fear-induced environment and have accused the quarry company of negligence in considering the safety and well-being of the community while carrying out their blasting operations. The cries for help from the residents reveal a desperate desire for peaceful cohabitation and respect for their living conditions.
One resident, Regina Pokuaa Adusei Poku, emphasized the perilous inconsistencies in safety protocols, stating that the quarry conducts its blasting without any regard for the local population. She highlighted that while permits had been granted for buildings in the area, the blasting activities tend to overshadow any semblance of security. The fear and anxiety are compounded by the dust from the quarry operations, which significantly affects the health of residents. Other locals have echoed these sentiments, expressing that the notifications for impending blasts come with alarming suddenness, generating distress and insecurity in their daily lives.
Another affected resident, Habiba Issah, conveyed the acute impact of the blasts on family life, particularly for households with children. She detailed the lack of consideration for residents’ well-being, noting that blasting often extends late into the night. The unpredictability accompanying quarries’ operations amplifies the anxiety levels within the community. Salamatu Ali, an additional resident, reflected on the long-standing pattern of such destructive incidents, suggesting that these events are not isolated but rather indicative of a broader disregard prevailing within the quarry’s operational framework.
Despite the numerous complaints and concerns presented by the locals, Sakina Ahmed, another resident, lamented that there remains a palpable sense of fear among residents every time a blast is executed. She affirmed the cyclical nature of the technological ravaging, stating that past incidents have gone unaddressed, leaving the community to wrestle with the fallout alone. Furthermore, the Assembly Member for the Buoho Electoral Area has urged local authorities to intervene and redress these burgeoning safety issues, which clearly highlight the urgent need for regulation in quarry operations.
Efforts to elicit comments from the KAS Quarry Company regarding the complaints have thus far been fruitless, adding to the frustrations experienced by the community. There exists a historical dispute between quarry operations and nearby residents in the Afigya Kwabre South District, which points towards a systemic issue that requires regulatory oversight and safety assessments. The desire for a peaceful cohabitation between industrial activity and residential life remains critical for the residents of Buoho, who strive for an environment where their safety and well-being are prioritized rather than jeopardized.
