An assemblyman in Ghana’s Afram Plains North District has shared heartbreaking details about a recent illegal mining pit collapse at Atta-ne-Atta that killed at least three people and left others injured. The incident has renewed urgent calls for stronger action against galamsey activities in the region.
According to Mr Emmanuel Adjei, the assemblyman for the area, the accident occurred when a group of young men who had gone to work in an illegal mining site were buried after the pit suddenly gave way. Adjei described the scene as “tragic,” saying the ground collapsed without warning while they were digging for gold. The unstable nature of these pits, often dug without safety measures, makes them extremely dangerous for those involved.
Local residents explained that countless galamsey sites have sprung up in recent months, creating deep pits and weakened earth around communities. Adjei said that many young people are drawn to illegal mining because of unemployment and the lure of quick money, even though the risks are well known. He noted that most of the victims were friends who had gone together in hopes of finding gold that day.
Some of the injured were rushed to nearby health facilities, but several have serious wounds from being trapped under debris and falling rocks. As the rescue and recovery efforts continued, family members and neighbours stood by anxiously, praying and waiting for news of loved ones.
The assemblyman stressed that incidents like the one at Atta-ne-Atta reflect broader problems linked to unchecked illegal mining in the region, including environmental destruction, unsafe working conditions and threats to public safety. He urged security agencies and government task forces to intensify enforcement in the area to prevent future tragedies.
District authorities also called on community leaders to help educate residents about the dangers of galamsey and to support lawful employment opportunities that reduce dependence on hazardous mining activities.
Galamsey, a local term for unauthorised small-scale mining, has long been a concern in parts of Ghana due to its environmental impact and safety issues. In recent years, several measures have been launched by government and community groups to curb it, but enforcement remains a major challenge.
