C/R: RCC Launches Bold Reclamation Drive After 22 Deaths in Mining Pits

C/R: RCC Launches Bold Reclamation Drive After 22 Deaths in Mining Pits:

Source: Justice Baffour,CEO//www.dailywatchgh.com

The Central Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) has launched a sweeping reclamation campaign to address the growing menace of abandoned mining pits that have claimed 22 lives within the past eight months.

The initiative, spearheaded by a newly inaugurated Regional Reclamation Committee, is designed to restore safety to communities plagued by the aftershocks of illegal mining and to protect the environment from further devastation.

The Committee and Its Mandate

The Regional Reclamation Committee is a multi-stakeholder taskforce bringing together:

Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) from Upper Denkyira West and East, Assin North, and Twifo Ati-Morkwa.

Security agencies stationed across the Central Region.

Disaster management officials and local government representatives.

Their core mandate is to identify, secure, and reclaim abandoned mining pits, many of which have become open death traps for residents, farmers, and unsuspecting children.

Why This Matters: A Region in Danger

The Central Region has, over the years, become a hotspot for both licensed and illegal mining. While the activity generates income for many families, the abandoned pits left behind have been wreaking havoc:

22 people lost their lives in 8 months, many of them young people who accidentally slipped into water-filled pits.

Vast stretches of fertile farmland have been destroyed, threatening food security in mining areas.

Rivers and streams have been contaminated, putting communities at risk of waterborne diseases.

Speaking on behalf of the Regional Minister, Ing. Abdullai Amoh described the situation as “an emergency demanding urgent, coordinated response,” stressing that no more lives should be lost to negligence.

NADMO’s Call for Collective Action

The Central Regional Director of NADMO, Mr. E. K. Dawood Mensah, underscored the environmental and human cost of abandoned pits, urging every mining district to rally behind the reclamation drive.

“This is not only about protecting lives but also about restoring our environment and safeguarding the future of our communities,” he said.

MMDCEs Pledge Full Support

On behalf of his colleague MMDCEs, Upper Denkyira West MCE, Hon. George Anane Coleman, reaffirmed their commitment to the initiative. He emphasized that local assemblies will not only provide logistical and technical support but also engage local communities to ensure sustainability.

“We cannot sit back and allow these pits to continue swallowing lives. This exercise will be seen through to the very end,” he declared.

Beyond Reclamation: Securing the Future

The RCC’s intervention is not just about covering pits; it is also part of a broader strategy to:

Promote responsible mining practices.

Enforce strict compliance with environmental laws.

Educate communities about the dangers of illegal mining.

Encourage alternative livelihoods to reduce dependence on small-scale mining.

The Way Forward

The launch of the Regional Reclamation Committee marks the beginning of what is expected to be a sustained campaign across the Central Region. The Council has urged traditional authorities, community leaders, and civil society organizations to partner with the government in ensuring the success of the exercise.

For many residents who have lost loved ones to abandoned mining pits, this intervention comes as a ray of hope. But the ultimate test will be whether the initiative can restore safety, heal scarred lands, and prevent the cycle of tragedy from recurring.