Three illegal miners have been reported dead after a galamsey pit collapse at Twifo Mampong in the Twifo Atti-Morkwa District of the Central Region on Thursday.
Reports suggest the victims were part of a group of five who entered the pit secretly.
At around 1 am, the walls of the mine collapsed, trapping the galamseyers in the pit.
The Twifo Praso District Police Command, the DCE Isaac Tawson, NADMO, and the Ghana National Fire Service were able to retrieve three bodies from the pit after four hours of rescue work.
The fourth body is yet to be retrieved; however, the fifth person operating a pumping machine outside the pit escaped the pit collapse.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has given a detailed breakdown of the government’s illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey fight, after eight months in office.
According to the Lands Minister, 1400 galamseyers have been arrested, 440 excavators and over 800 changfans have also been seized in 8 months of the NDC government.
He reaffirmed the Mahama government’s commitment to protecting the environment and also regulating opportunities in the mining sector.
Speaking on GTV on Wednesday, September 24, the Lands Minister detailed, “We have seized 440 excavators and more than 800 changfans. We have mobilised Blue Water Guards in key regions, and they are making a difference”.
“We are also now providing critical alternatives, and we are saying that if you want to do mining, we are going to give you the training and build your capacity to work with large-scale mining companies,” he explained.
Still on the show, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, announced that the John Mahama-led government will declare all water bodies and forest reserves security zones.
The Lands minister warned that anyone caught engaging in illegal mining within these protected areas will do so at their own risk.
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah detailed, “We are moving another step further, and that step says we are going to declare all the water bodies and our forests security zones. And you stay there and engage in illegal mining activity at your own risk. That is the step,”
“When the President said that we are going to use all the steps, that’s what he meant. And so I’m very confident. How can people leave red zones for you when you come and clear within nine months? And those people who have caused the damage have the audacity to be talking?” he said.
He added, “I think that the Attorney General is on top of this matter, and anybody engaged in illegal mining, we don’t care who you are or how politically connected, we will arrest and prosecute you”.
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah further assured that the government will ensure the strict and impartial prosecution of illegal mining offenders.
He stressed, “We don’t care who you are or how politically connected you may be. Anyone arrested will be prosecuted. This time, there are no calls from anybody, no interference”.
“We are not only enforcing the law, we are reforming it. Our aim is to stop the bleeding, restore our rivers, and ensure that mining is done responsibly,” he said.
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— Gen. Buhari (@Gen_Buhari_) September 25, 2025
3 galamseyers perish at Twifo Mampong this Morning. pic.twitter.com/wV5mGEDWPq