He noted on the Citi Breakfast Show that the media tends to focus on the fatalities in the immediate aftermath of an accident.

[contextly_sidebar id=”rcB58xUhTgS0vk8UV6NGCbPznGbq80HL”]Citi News estimates pegged the number of deaths from the major gas explosions from 2014, minus the June 3 fire and flood disaster, at a little over 30.

But the delicate nature of burn injuries, both physically and psychologically, leaves victims at the risk of death even a year after the incidents.

To enforce this concern, Dr. Abdalla, who was a medical officer at the Winneba Government Hospital, recalled the coverage of fatalities from a massive gas explosion at Winneba following a road crash involving a gas tanker in March 2009.

An assessment of media reports at the time indicates that between 12 and 21 deaths were noted.

The reports noted that, about 35 people who received severe burns and were rushed to the Winneba Government Hospital, were later referred to Korle-Bu and 37 Military hospitals in Accra.

But even the report of 21 fatalities from the explosion fell way short of the eventual number of deaths, which increased by 100 percent, unbeknownst to the media.

Dr. Abdallah said “we all know from the Winneba incident that 42 eventually died; 42 Ghanaians including women and children. Some were pregnant women and I was able to get these facts because I was able to follow the patients that had been referred to Korle-Bu.”

The more recent explosion at Nungua Zongo in 2014 was reported to have just one fatality, with five others injured.

But the fatalities, in this case, were also not followed up on as the explosion eventually recorded maximum fatalities.

“…that same night, a young girl of nine years died in Korle Bu. Later on, the mother of the child and the other three siblings and the young man who had come to fix the gas cylinder for them when the incident occurred also died in Korle Bu within a period of about three weeks. But nobody captured it and that family has actually been wiped out from that gas explosion,” Dr. Abdallah disclosed.

Depression and suicide would also have to be factored into the equation when accessing the casualties of such accidents because “some would ave severe burns such that it’s so debilitating they may have depression because they can’t even come into public. Some have even taken their own lives and some of these deaths are not reported,” he explained.

Going by these examples, the physician said he “could confidently say that we usually under-report these [fatalities from gas explosions].”

His comments follow the massive Atomic Junction explosion where only seven fatalities have been so far recorded.

Dr. Abdallah said getting the reportage right was important because it allows Ghanaians to appreciate how “grave the issues are.”

“When we know that so many lives are involved, a family has been wiped out, we may then begin to look at it again… it appears for us that some of these numbers are what will push people to act and recognize the fact that when these things happen, so many lives are lost.”

–

By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com

The post Deaths from fuel explosions grossly under-reported – Surgeon appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He noted that Ghanaians have allowed politics to interfere with efforts to rid the nation of galamsey activities and that must end.

Justice Apau made the remarks at the Commission’s sitting in Accra, when Dr Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Commission, appeared before it to present accounts of outstanding claims against the institution.

Dr Aubynn said the Minerals Commission is the constitutionally mandated body in Ghana responsible for the regulation and management of the utilization of the mineral resources.

He said the Commission also issues licenses to mining, sand winning, and quarrying companies, and also ensures compliance with Ghana’s mining and mineral laws and regulation through monitoring.

He said the Commission grants license to small-scale miners, adding that those miners however indulge in galamsey activities or operate  illegally outside their areas of concession sometimes.

Justice Apau enquired from the CEO the difference between the Minerals Commission and the Chamber of Mines.

In response, the CEO explained that the Chamber of Mines is the main industry association in Ghana, declaring that the Chamber represents the collective interests of companies involved in mineral exploration in Ghana.

The Sole Commissioner further asked Dr Aubynn of the origin of the word “galamsey”.

The CEO observed that galamsey is a corrupted word which means “gather and sell in defiance of authority.”

Dr. Aubynn recounted that during national elections period, parliamentary candidates of opposition parties often promise galamsey operators that they will legalize it once they come to power, only to win votes.

He advised politicians to desist from such acts, adding that “I always tell the parliamentarians that we have to solve the issue together now, or face it forever.”

Other state institutions that appeared at the sitting to present information on  outstanding claims against them were, the Bank of Ghana, the Bureau of National Investigations(BNI) and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

The Bank of Ghana was represented by Mr Nana Egyapong, Schedule Officer for Government Payments, and Saviour Kudze of the Legal Department.

After seeking for clarification on the terms of reference of the subpoena, they asked for an adjournment.

The Commission has since granted their request and they are to re-appear before it on Wednesday, May 28.

Mr. Sokpo said the Ministry of Education, which was also supposed to appear before it had requested that it be re-scheduled to appear on June 11.

Source: GNA

The post Tackle galamsey – Justice Apau orders Minerals Commission appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.