A 14-year-old junior high school student tragically lost his life due to illegal mining in Ghana. The incident occurred on March 6, 2025, in the Boadua area while the country marked its 68th Independence Day celebration.
According to reports, the young boy fell into an uncovered mining pit around 3:00 p.m. and drowned. Witnesses say illegal miners operating in the area did not immediately notice him. By the time help arrived, he had already lost his life. A police ambulance later retrieved his body.
An eyewitness speaking on Joynews claimed that illegal mining has been rampant in the area for years. While some individuals have been apprehended, authorities allegedly released them without prosecution. A small-scale miner in the community urged illegal miners to stop their activities and cover abandoned pits to prevent further tragedies.
Panelists on the AM Show on JoyNews discussed the broader issue of illegal mining in Ghana. One panelist emphasized that both legal and illegal miners often fail to reclaim mining sites, leading to numerous hazardous pits. He stressed the need for stronger regulatory enforcement and called on the government to decentralize governance for better oversight at the local level.
Professor Isaac Boadi, another panelist, described the incident as heartbreaking. He questioned the government’s commitment to regulating mining activities, stating that authorities should not only seek power but also use it effectively to protect lives.
This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of mining regulations. Experts continue to call for proper site reclamation and stronger penalties for illegal miners to prevent further loss of lives.
Arocha Ghana on Illegal Mining in Ghana
AROCHA Ghana, an environmental conservation organization, in collaboration with other environmental NGOs, has called for the dismissal of the Eastern South Police Commander, DCOP George Boadi Bossman, and the Divisional Police Commander of Kyebi, ACP Reynolds Sam, in the Eastern Region over their alleged failure to address illegal mining.
The group asserts that despite joint efforts, water bodies continue to suffer destruction due to the officers’ inability to effectively combat illegal mining activities.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Friday, March 7, AROCHA’s Deputy National Director, Daryl Bosu, demanded the immediate removal of both commanders.
“The failure to effectively enforce laws against illegal mining in parts of the Eastern Region is a clear indication of poor leadership and complicity by both the Divisional and Eastern South commands, located in Kyebi. Civil society organizations (CSOs) have struggled without success to stop the pollution of River Danso, River Birim, and other streams in the region.”
Additionally, the group called for the replacement of the Executive Director of the Minerals Commission, citing his failure to effectively tackle illegal mining.
“The current leader of the Minerals Commission has failed to ensure responsible mining practices that safeguard the environment across the country.
“We call on the government to, as a matter of urgency, replace the Executive Director of the Minerals Commission with a visionary leader who will usher in a new era of responsible mining.”
