Galamsey pits kill more people in Ashanti Region

More lives continue to be lost to illegal gold mining (galamsey) pits in the Ashanti Region. In the latest incident on June 25, two children aged 10 and 12 died when they were drowned in an abandoned galamsey pit full of water at Kotokuom in the Atwima Mponua District of the region.

Another boy who also fell in the pit however survived. The incident comes as galamsey activities continue to cause devastation to lands and water bodies in the region.

Farm
According to an eyewitness account, the three kids had gone to their farm near the abandoned galamsey site when one of them fell in the pit. The two others attempted to rescue their friend but drowned.

However , the other boy was rescued by a Good Samaritan.

Past incidents
In 2022, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) disclosed that over 20 people died after they fell in illegal mining pits in the Ashanti Region between 2019 and 2021. The activities of illegal miners have left most pits uncovered.

NADMO therefore called on the government to expedite processes in reclaiming all lands that have been destroyed by illegal miners.