The Chief of Sefwi Kwawkrom in the Juaboso District of the Western North Region has raised serious concerns over the loss of lives in his community as a result of unfilled pits left behind by illegal miners.
Illegal mining continues to devastate water bodies and forest reserves across the district, while also posing a deadly threat to residents in the Juaboso District of the Western North Region.
In many instances, miners abandon deep pits after their operations, turning farmlands and roads into dangerous death traps.
Kwawkrom, a predominantly farming community, has been heavily affected. Residents told legendreport that miners often assure community leaders they will reclaim excavated sites after mining, but these promises are rarely fulfilled.
One of the miners accused of abandoning pits in the area is Nana Matthias Mateasem, the Chief of Sefwi Ahwiam in the Sehwi Wiawso Municipality. Reports indicate that mining activities in the area resulted in pits dug to depths of over 30 feet near the Kwawkrom–Amantreso road, yet no reclamation has been carried out.
In a phone interview with legendreport , Nana Mateasem admitted to mining in the area but said he had informed the assemblyman of the electoral area to reclaim the land on his behalf.
However, more than three months after the mining activities ceased, the pits remain uncovered, with neither the chief nor his workers returning to the site.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Sefwi Kwawkrom, Nana Yaw Gyabeng I, described the situation as alarming and life-threatening. He disclosed that since ascending the stool, he has buried five people whose deaths were linked to galamsey pits in the community.
According to him, the abandoned galamsey pits have made it extremely difficult for farmers to transport their produce, while schoolchildren who use the affected roads face constant danger. He noted that although the school remains open, many students are afraid to attend due to the numerous uncovered galamsey pits along access routes.
Nana Yaw Gyabeng I has therefore appealed to the government to urgently intervene to halt illegal mining activities and ensure the reclamation of abandoned pits to prevent further loss of lives.
Meanwhile, sources indicate that the Juaboso District Police Command has been informed about the unreclaimed galamsey pits in Kwawkrom and surrounding communities and is expected to take appropriate action.
