23 lives lost to abandoned illegal mining pits in Ashanti Region – Regional Minister

In the Ashanti Region, at least 23 lives have been lost due to abandoned illegal mining pits, with a majority of the victims being minors. Out of the 19 bodies that have been recovered, the remaining four are still trapped within the pits. Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, disclosed this during the inauguration of a new ultra-modern office for the Minerals Commission in Kumasi.

Eleven of the deceased were children, who were innocent residents trying to access their farms but tragically fell into uncovered pits left by miners. "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," said Dr Amoakohene.

Only 19 victims have been recovered; the other four are yet to be found. The Regional Security Council, with the assistance of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has begun efforts to reclaim these abandoned pits. Dr Amoakohene encouraged stakeholders to support this initiative. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, along with security services and the Forestry Commission, have also removed all permanent structures from the region's forest reserves to stop fuel supply to illegal miners.

The government, in collaboration with the UK government, has erected permanent camps and structures along rivers in the region to protect the forests and water bodies.