A mining pit collapse in the Ashanti Region claimed the lives of three individuals on October 1, highlighting persistent safety lapses in the country’s informal mining sector.
The incident occurred in the town of Manso Takorase, located in the Amansei South District, when six miners entered an abandoned pit to resume operations. The structure gave way, trapping all six underground. Local officials confirmed that three individuals were rescued, while the remaining three were recovered deceased.
“This is not the first time we are seeing such a disaster,” said Bonsu Dominic, the local assembly member, in an interview with Citi News. “We need stricter oversight and education to prevent these recurring tragedies.”
The Amansie area is a hub for both legal and illegal gold mining, known locally as “galamsey,” and has recorded a string of fatal incidents over the past few years. Authorities have struggled to regulate the sector, which remains a key source of income for many but poses significant environmental and safety risks.
The bodies of the deceased have been taken to the St. Martin’s Catholic Hospital morgue. Local police and district officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse.
The tragedy follows a similar incident last month in the Atwima Mponua District, where seven miners lost their lives and five others were injured when another pit collapsed. The frequency of such accidents has fueled calls for the Ghanaian government to ramp up enforcement of mining regulations and intensify public awareness campaigns on occupational safety.
Ghana is Africa’s second-largest gold producer, but its small-scale mining sector—largely unregulated—continues to be marred by accidents, environmental degradation, and health hazards.
