On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, a tragic mining pit collapse at Akyem Wenchi in Ghana’s Eastern Region claimed three lives, with several others feared trapped.
District Chief Executive (DCE) and Chairman of the District Security Council, Umar Ahmed, reported that rescue operations were severely disrupted by a hostile crowd chanting war songs, which he described as escalating the chaos at the scene.
In an interview with Citi News, Ahmed stated, “The people were chanting war songs as if people were not trapped in the pit. We were not allowed to try and remove the individuals trapped in the pit.
Part of my car was destroyed.”
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), police, and National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) faced resistance from some miners and local youth, hindering efforts to save those trapped in the water-filled pit.
Ahmed called for military support to manage the situation, noting the hazardous conditions and the crowd’s aggressive behavior. The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) has since condemned the incident, alleging harassment of licensed miners by authorities, which may have fueled tensions.
The exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation, with authorities urging stricter regulations to prevent future tragedies.
