A three-year-old boy narrowly escaped death after a mining explosion at Bibiani Old Town in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region. The incident has sparked outrage among residents, who are calling for immediate intervention from authorities.
The explosion, carried out by Asante Gold Bibiani Limited, launched a massive rock into the boy’s home shortly after a scheduled blast. Fortunately, the child and his family had just stepped outside moments before the rock crashed through their room.
“We rushed outside after hearing the warning. Just after the blast, a huge rock flew into our home. It could have killed my son,”
– Edwine Cyril Young, the boy’s father
Residents say mining blasts have become a daily menace, endangering lives and damaging homes and property. Many report repeated incidents of flying debris, cracked walls, and destroyed appliances.
“We are not safe. Our lives are in danger every day. We are pleading with the authorities to move us to a safer place before something worse happens,”
– Concerned resident
The near-tragic incident has intensified calls for urgent resettlement of residents living close to the mining site. Locals are appealing to:
President John Dramani Mahama, The Minerals Commission of Ghana and Asante Gold Bibiani Limited. They are demanding that authorities act quickly to prevent future loss of life and provide a safe environment for families living near the mine.
As tensions rise in Bibiani Old Town, the community is hoping their appeals will no longer fall on deaf ears. Residents want immediate action to prevent what could be a deadly disaster if left unchecked.