Three children have drowned in abandoned illegal mining, also known as galamsey pits, in the Denkyembuor and Fanteakwa South Districts of the Eastern Region within a week.
The first incident occurred at Boadua, a suburb of Akwatia, where a 14-year-old boy drowned in a mining pit close to his home during the commemoration of Ghana’s Independence Day celebration on 6th March.
The pit, left uncovered by illegal miners, became a death trap for the young victim, whose lifeless body was later retrieved.
Just a day later, a similar tragedy occurred at Akyem Abompe in the Fanteakwa South District, where two siblings drowned in another abandoned mining pit.
According to reports, the deceased were among four children who had gone swimming in a local river diverted by illegal miners.
Unknown to them, the river led to a deep, abandoned mining pit, where they became trapped.
While two of the children were rescued, the other two did not survive.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, visited the bereaved family at Boadua to express her condolences.
She reiterated the dangers of illegal mining, stating that it has no transcend security threat to a matter of life and death.
The Minister also indicated that the Mahama-led government is committed to fighting the menace.
The increasing cases of children drowning in galamsey pits have sparked public outcry, with calls for the government and local authorities to take immediate action to curb illegal mining and reclaim abandoned mining sites.
Residents believe if immediate steps are not taken to reclaim the lands, many more children may drown as the raining season begins.
