The Bosome Freho District Assembly in the Ashanti Region has ordered the arrest of the owner of an abandoned mining pit that claimed the lives of a woman and her young child at Bobriase, intensifying concerns over the growing dangers posed by unreclaimed mining sites in the district.
The tragic incident occurred when the woman, who had her child strapped to her back, reportedly slipped and fell into a water-filled abandoned pit while attempting to fetch water for cooking. Both mother and child drowned.
District Chief Executive, Charles Appiah Kubi, blamed the tragedy on the failure of the mining site owner to reclaim the pit after mining activities had ceased.
Speaking on the incident, Mr. Appiah Kubi expressed concern over the increasing number of abandoned pits scattered across the district, describing them as deadly hazards to residents.
“When I look at Bosome Freho, it’s been almost a year since I’ve been District Chief Executive, and I have come across so many abandoned pits. Some people have lost their lives. I can mention at least two or three people who have died through these abandoned pits in recent times,” he said.
He recounted the circumstances surrounding the latest tragedy, noting that wet conditions caused by rainfall may have contributed to the accident.
“In recent times, even last week, a lady fell into one of the abandoned pits. She had gone to fetch water for cooking, but unfortunately, it was raining and the area was slippery. She fell into the pit together with her young child, and both lost their lives,” he stated.
According to the DCE, the matter has been reported to the police, and efforts are underway to apprehend the owner of the mining site, who is allegedly evading arrest.
“The case has been reported to the police command, and the person responsible is now trying to avoid arrest. We want to ensure proper mining practices are carried out in the district and also make this a deterrent to others,” he added.
Mr. Appiah Kubi further revealed that the Assembly has directed the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in the district to conduct an inventory of all abandoned mining pits. The exercise is intended to identify and trace the individuals or companies responsible for the sites and hold them accountable.
“As I speak, we have instructed the NADMO Director to inspect the various sites and identify those who mined the areas so they can be traced and, where necessary, arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
The Bosome Freho District, one of the more deprived districts in the Ashanti Region, is home to numerous abandoned mining pits left behind by illegal and irresponsible mining activities. Many of these pits have become death traps for residents and pose significant environmental and public safety risks.
In response to the growing threat, the district has joined a land reclamation programme being implemented by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, National Security and the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council.
Under the initiative, small-scale miners operating within the district have voluntarily committed to reclaiming mined-out lands at no cost to the Assembly, a move authorities hope will help reduce environmental degradation and prevent future tragedies.
