12-year-old boy dies after falling into illegal mining pit in Akwatia

A 12-year-old boy from Boadua Presby Junior High School has died after falling into an abandoned illegal mining pit in Boadua, near Akwatia in the Eastern Region.

The tragic incident occurred on March 6, casting a shadow over Ghana’s 68th Independence Day celebrations.

The orphaned child was reportedly playing near the pit when he accidentally fell in. His body has been sent to the St. Dominic Catholic Hospital morgue.

Despite government crackdowns on illegal mining, abandoned pits continue to pose a deadly risk to communities.

This latest tragedy has reignited calls for stricter law enforcement, land reclamation, and protection for residents living near galamsey sites.