President directs Maxam to pay $5m fine to Appiatse Support Fund
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed that $5 million out of the $6 million-dollar fine imposed on Maxam Ghana Limited as a result of the explosion in the area should be donated to the Appiatse Support Fund.
A statement issued by the Lands Minister, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said the directive follows an administrative fine of $1 million imposed on Maxam Ghana Ltd for regulatory breaches, after the Appiatse incident.
The company also agreed to pay an additional $5 million to the Government following extensive discussions.
The Appiatse Support Fund was established by the Government to, among other things, support the victims and help reconstruct the community, which was razed by the explosion on January 20, this year, killing 14 people and injuring more than 170 others.
The statement explained that by law the $1 million, which constituted the administrative fine, formed part of the Internally Generated Funds of the Minerals Commission, the regulator of the sector.
The Minister had, therefore, directed the Minerals Commission to ensure that the said $5 million be paid to the Fund in accordance with the agreed terms of payment.
Source: GNA