2023 Shama quarry explosion

On 9 September 2023 a quarry site located in Anto Aboso in the Shama District in the Western Region of Ghana exploded. The site was operated by STA Addsams Enterprise (formerly Omni Quarry) and the Minerals Commission of Ghana found them to be operating illegally and without permit.

Explosion
The explosion occurred at about 12:30 am from explosives containing ammonium nitrate in a storage that was not approved. Most of the night workers got burnt and killed people who included a Chinese citizen and many got injured. The explosion destroyed buildings and agricultural lands closer to the quarry site while other workers went missing after the explosion. Five people were later confirmed dead with five others severely injured.

Responses
Officers from the Ghana Fire Service and other security personnel helped with rescue efforts at the site.

The Western Regional Health Directorate cautioned residents in nine communities in the Shama District to report any symptoms on their skins and respiratory organs to health facilities.

Committee
A nine-member committee was set up to investigate the cause of the explosion. They were given three weeks to report on the cause of the blast, other causes to look out for in the future, and if the company had a permit to store explosives.

Aftermath
A cash amount of over GHS55,000 was found within the site of the explosion. Emmanuel Owua-Awie, who is the assembly member said the money was for the quarry owners and was found during a rescue and search mission after the blast.

Some members of Ghana Journalists Association in the Western Region of Ghana called for the dismissals of heads of the Minerals Commission and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the explosion.

Transfers
On 10 September 2023, the Minerals Commission of Ghana transferred its Western Regional Director and other officers after the explosion.

On 13 September 2023, the EPA also transferred its Western Regional Director to Accra after the explosion.