A 14-year-old JHS1 student identified as Mariama is reported to have died after an uncovered ‘galamsey” pit caved in at Besiase in the Kwawu West municipality of the Eastern Region.
This tragedy comes two weeks after a 25-year-old man was also killed in a ”galamsey” pit in the same area.
This triggered the people of Odumase, Wisiwisi, and Besiase to embark on a demonstration to register and emphasize their displeasure to the authorities and traditional leaders of the area about the effects of illegal mining activities on them.
According to the irate youth, the illegal miners leave pits uncovered, and pollute the land and water bodies which takes a direct and indirect toll on indigenes.
They further appealed to the authorities to implement policies that will force miners to fill up the pits after their work is over.
Galamsey pits deaths have become prevalent in recent times; on Monday, January 30 the body of one person was retrieved from one such trap at Anwiafutu in the Ashanti region.
17-year-old Kwabena Anane and 18-year-old Atta Derrick in the company of three others reportedly went to prospect for gold in an abandoned illegal mining pit and were chased by suspected forest guards in the process.
According to the residents, three escaped but Kwabena Anane and Atta Derrick died.
It was reported that a search was underway to retrieve the bodies of the teenagers from river Offin.
