Central Region records 22 galamsey pit deaths in 7 months – NADMO

More than 22 people have drowned in abandoned illegal mining pits in the Central Region over the past seven months, according to Kwesi Dawood, Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).

He said the deserted pits had claimed the lives of both illegal miners, commonly called galamseyers, and innocent individuals, particularly women and children with no connection to mining activities.

Describing the situation as both “alarming” and “heart-breaking,” Mr. Dawood warned that the actual figures could be higher due to underreporting.

He made the disclosure at a media briefing after a Regional Security Council meeting, which also launched a task force to reclaim illegal mining sites across all mining districts in the region.

A taskforce, comprising security agencies, NADMO, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Minerals Commission, miners, and the media, will operate in Assin North, Assin Central, Upper Denkyira East and West, Twifo Ati-Morkwa, Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira, and the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality.

According to Mr. Dawood, the initiative aims to address environmental destruction and safety hazards caused by illegal mining.

This effort is part of the government’s broader plan to convert degraded galamsey sites into productive agricultural land and tree plantations, spearheaded by Regional Minister Mr. Ekow Payin Okyere Eduamoah.

Heavy machinery has been deployed, and free crop seedlings will be distributed to communities to encourage planting on reclaimed lands, providing alternative livelihoods.

“This initiative encompasses the implementation of our ‘Tree for Life’ reforestation policy, which aims to cultivate cash crops such as cocoa, palm, and rubber on rehabilitated sites,” he explained.

Mr. Dawood urged illegal miners to cease their detrimental activities and participate in the reclamation drive to restore farmlands and protect national food security. Representing the Regional Minister, Mr. Abdullah Amoh called on miners to support the initiative as community engagement and mapping of degraded areas continue.

He emphasized that reclaiming sites through reforestation, soil rehabilitation, and water purification would restore natural habitats and secure livelihoods for communities dependent on healthy ecosystems.

He added that the projects would help mitigate flooding risks, water contamination, and health problems linked to toxic exposure.

Mr. Amoh reaffirmed the government’s pledge to intensify enforcement against unauthorized mining, allocate resources for sustainable land rehabilitation, and implement public awareness campaigns to discourage galamsey while encouraging community participation in environmental protection.

He emphasized the government’s commitment, stating: “Mitigating the aftermath of illegal mining is crucial for ecological balance, economic viability, and the welfare of present and future generations. Without concerted efforts to restore degraded sites, the environmental and social costs will continue to rise.”