Bosome freho: The Bosome Freho District Assembly in the Ashanti Region has ordered the arrest of the owner of an abandoned mining pit that claimed the lives of a woman and her child at Bobriase. This action comes amid growing concerns over the dangers posed by unreclaimed mining sites in the district.

According to Ghana Web, the tragic incident occurred when the woman, with her child strapped to her back, reportedly slipped and fell into a water-filled abandoned pit while attempting to fetch water for cooking. Both mother and child drowned in the incident.

District Chief Executive (DCE) Charles Appiah Kubi stated that the owner of the mining site failed to reclaim the pit after mining activities, creating a hazardous environment that has become a death trap for residents. Appiah Kubi expressed concern about the increasing number of abandoned pits scattered across the district, noting that several individuals have lost their lives due to these dangerous sites.

The DCE explained that the recent tragedy occurred during rainfall when the ground around the pit became slippery. He highlighted a similar incident that happened last week, emphasizing the urgent need for action.

The matter has been reported to the police, and efforts are underway to arrest the individual responsible for the mining site, who is currently evading arrest. Appiah Kubi stressed the importance of ensuring proper actions are taken to deter others from leaving mining sites unreclaimed.

The Assembly has directed the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in the district to undertake an inventory of all abandoned mining pits to identify their owners and facilitate legal action against those responsible. The initiative aims to trace the operators of these sites and hold them accountable.

Bosome Freho District, one of the most deprived districts in the Ashanti Region, is plagued by numerous water-filled trenches and abandoned pits left behind by both legal and illegal mining activities. In response, the district has signed onto a land reclamation initiative implemented by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, National Security, and the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council. Under this program, small-scale miners in the district have agreed to voluntarily reclaim mined-out lands at no cost to the Assembly, aiming to reduce environmental degradation and prevent future tragedies.