12-year-old boy dies after falling into abandoned galamsey pit

A 12-year-old boy from Boadua Presby Junior High School has tragically lost his life after falling into an abandoned illegal mining pit near his home in Boadua, a suburb of Akwatia in the Eastern Region.

The incident, which occurred early on 6 March 2025, cast a shadow over Ghana’s 68th Independence Day celebrations.

The victim, an orphan, was reportedly playing near the hazardous pit when he accidentally fell in. His body has since been deposited at the St. Dominic Catholic Hospital morgue in Akwatia.

Despite ongoing government efforts and civil society campaigns to curb illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, the practice remains rampant in several communities, including Akwatia, Kade, Oda, Asamankese, Kyebi, and Ayensuanor.

Illegal miners, often operating in defiance of the law, leave behind deep, water-filled pits that pose extreme risks to local communities. These abandoned sites not only claim lives but also contribute to deforestation, land degradation, and water pollution, particularly affecting major water bodies like the Pra, Birim, and Offin rivers.

The tragic death of the young boy has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of mining regulations and the immediate reclamation of abandoned pits to prevent further loss of life.