Ghana: One person feared dead after mine collapse at Manso-mpatoam

One person is feared dead following the collapse of an illegal mining pit at Manso-mpatoam in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region.

Report says a rescue team has began a search to retrieve another person who was at the site at the time of the incident .

It is not yet clear what might have led to the collapse of the pit.

This is coming on the back of resurgence in illegal mining activity popularly known as galamsey in the country.

Meanwhile President Akufo Addo has dismissed the District Chief Executive of Amansie South William Asante Bediako.

Bediako was captured in a viral video stating his disagreement with the state-sponsored clampdown on illegal mining.

Why would I not support ‘galamsey’? Had it not been for ‘galamsey’, we would not have had a storey building at Manso; had it not been ‘galamsey’ and hardworking nature of the people of Manso, a young person from Manso would not have been able to purchase a car worth one billion Cedis,” he is heard saying on the tape.

According to reports, the video was shot at a ceremony to commission a toilet facility at Manso Tontokrom, a town within the district.

President Akufo-Addo launched the Operation Vanguard to quell illegal mining activities have wreaked havoc to Ghana’s freshwater bodies and vegetation across the country.