The Ashanti Region is mourning after at least 23 people, including 11 children, lost their lives by falling into abandoned illegal mining pits, locally known as galamsey pits, over recent months.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, revealed the grim statistics on Monday, August 24, 2026, during the commissioning of a new ultramodern Minerals Commission office complex in Kumasi.
According to Dr. Amoakohene, 19 of the bodies have so far been recovered, with four victims still trapped underground. Most of the fatalities were residents who inadvertently fell into the uncovered pits while using pathways to their farms.
“Twenty-three lives have been lost only because they were on their way to their farms and fell into pits that were left uncovered by miners within the various areas. Only 19 have been recovered from the pits; the remaining four we have not been able to recover,” he stated.
The Minister lamented the loss of young lives, pointing out that 11 of the victims were children. “Eleven of them are children whose future has been cut short because someone, in his quest for money, left a pit uncovered within some of these areas that lead to farmlands,” Dr. Amoakohene said.
In response to the tragedy, the Regional Security Council, with support from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has initiated a programme to reclaim and cover abandoned illegal mining pits across the affected communities. Dr. Amoakohene called on all stakeholders to support these efforts, stressing the urgent need to secure abandoned mining sites and prevent further loss of life.
He emphasized that immediate action is essential, especially in communities where residents and children frequently traverse routes that pass by or through dangerous, uncovered pits. The Regional Minister’s call to action highlights the ongoing hazards posed by illegal mining and the critical importance of reclaiming and securing such sites to safeguard lives in the region.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com