In a significant step toward addressing the aftermath of the Buduburam rock blast, the Government of Ghana has disbursed compensation to over 500 individuals whose properties were damaged during the October 2024 incident. The blast occurred as part of construction activities on the Kasoa-Winneba road, carried out by Nag Fairmount Construction Limited, and resulted in substantial property damage, injuries, and the loss of three lives.
The incident had far-reaching consequences, with rock fragments from the explosion destroying roofs, shops, vehicles, and residential buildings along the Kasoa-Winneba Highway. After months of deliberation and assessments, the government has fulfilled its promise to compensate those affected, offering financial support as well as inconvenience allowances.
Speaking during the compensation distribution, Solomon Darko Quarm, District Chief Executive (DCE) of Gomoa East, clarified misconceptions regarding the funding source. “This is a Government of Ghana project,” he stated emphatically, addressing rumours that ECOWAS had financed the compensation. “All this shared propaganda is just because of the elections. The committee completed its work, and the contractor called for the money to be distributed to the affected people.”
Quarm explained that compensation extended beyond financial payments, with victims of earlier flooding on the Gomoa Okyereko stretch receiving building materials to rebuild their damaged properties. The DCE emphasized the comprehensive nature of the support, ensuring that all affected groups, including property and vehicle owners, were included in the disbursement.
However, the process has not been without challenges. Some recipients expressed dissatisfaction with the compensation amounts, describing them as insufficient to cover their losses. Meanwhile, the District National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Director, Robert Hackman, voiced frustration over inflated claims by some victims, which he said had burdened the compensation committee.
Despite these setbacks, the disbursement marks a critical milestone in the recovery efforts for those impacted by the Buduburam blast. As the government continues to prioritize addressing the needs of affected communities, the compensation serves as a measure of accountability and support for rebuilding lives disrupted by the tragic incident.
