Two final year pupils of the Abisco M/A Basic School in Abesewa, Dunkwa-Abasewa, tragically lost their lives after falling into an abandoned galamsey pit in the Upper Denkyira East District of the Central Region.
The deceased have been identified as Dominic Abu, aged 15, and Enoch Ogo, aged 16. The incident occurred on Monday, April 8, while they were on their way home from school.
According to reports, one of the pupils fell into the pit, and in a valiant attempt to rescue his friend, the other pupil also entered the water-filled pit and tragically drowned alongside his companion.
Their lifeless bodies were subsequently recovered from the pit, adding to the growing concern among residents about the dangers posed by the abandoned galamsey site.
This is not the first time such a tragic incident has occurred in the area.
Two years prior, a final-year student from St. Andrews Senior School met a similar fate when he fell into the same pit while attempting to use a shortcut route from Abesewa to Barrier, which was flooded at the time.
Ernest Arkon, the Assemblyman for the Compound Electoral Area, expressed dismay over the recurring deaths at the galamsey site.
In response, he issued a stern ultimatum to the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and the Member of Parliament for Upper Denkyira East, demanding action to reclaim the land within four months.
Failure to do so, he warned, would result in a massive demonstration led by him and concerned residents.