Residents of Gomoa Ojobi in the Central Region say they are living in fear following hazardous the activities of some quarry operators in the area.
The community hosts seven quarry companies who use explosives to break the rocks into stones to sell their clients.
A visit by Citi News to the town revealed that there were several cracks in their buildings with some of them having their roofs ripped off.
Some residents who spoke to Citi News lamented about the effects of the explosions on their lives and property.
A resident told Citi News that his house had collapsed some eight years ago after series of explosions at nearby quarry sites, which weakened the foundation of his home.
“When I lived in my house I always shivered when I hear the sounds of the explosions. The vibration caused by the explosion creates a lot of fear such that all the items in my room fall to the ground”, he said.
Another resident also complained about how dust, emanating from the quarries was affecting the quality of air in the atmosphere.
“We mostly breathe in bad air causing a lot of sicknesses among our people and this is a big problem for us because we could even end up dying”, he stated.
The Chief of Ojobi, Nana Atta Kakra XIX, in an interview with Citi News, also confirmed the situation.
He added that he was a victim of the effects of the operations of the quarry operators and called on them to limit the risks associated with their activities.
The Mineral Commissions, on their part, say they will investigate any reports against any of the companies should a formal complaint be made to them.
Speaking to Citi News, the Chief Mining Officer of the Commission, Obiri Yeboah Twumasi, said quarry operators are mandated by law to follow all safety standards.
“What is in the law when it comes to blasting for human beings is that, they should be 500 meters away from the site. We will advise that communities who sell off quarry lands to give a buffer of around two kilometers for their own good”, he said.
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By: Franklin Badu Jnr./citifmonline.com/Ghana