The Western Regional Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), George Diawuo has been transferred from the region few days after the Anto-Aboso explosion, which killed five people and left three others missing.
Diawuo informed the media minutes after the explosion that the quarry operator was registered with the EPA to operate, however the EPA’s Chief Executive, Dr. Henry Kokofu, later denied this claim.
It’s unclear whether Diawuo’s transfer had anything to do with the quarry accident.
Following the incident, the Minerals Commission reshuffled some regional heads, according to reports.
Following the incident, the Minerals Commission revealed that the quarry was operating without sufficient authorization.
The Commission’s mine inspectors had discovered that the company was operating at night, likely to evade discovery by Commission inspectors and the local task team, which included police and Sand Winners and Quarry Association members.
During a normal monitoring visit by inspectors from the Commission’s Takoradi Office, it was discovered that the company was engaged in site cleaning and preparatory work, as well as operating machinery and equipment on-site without the Commission’s authorisation.
