Traders at the Tarkwa Women’s Market in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region are in shock and fear after part of the market land suddenly caved in, exposing the community to the devastating consequences of illegal mining.
The incident, which occurred on the night of September 8, 2025, has been linked to blasts from suspected galamsey activities around an abandoned mine shaft belt that runs beneath sections of the municipality.
Former Head of Public Affairs at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Fiifi Boafo, confirmed the incident in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem. He described the development as alarming, warning that the collapse could have resulted in mass casualties had traders been present at the time.
“This is a clear indication of how dangerous the situation has become. The land is no longer stable, and people’s lives are at risk. If this continues, the entire Tarkwa township could one day cave in,” he cautioned.
Mr. Boafo also recounted a disturbing account from a trader who alleged that some individuals were still trapped in the pit the morning after the cave-in.
Meanwhile, personnel from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) reportedly visited the scene but, instead of conducting a comprehensive safety assessment, only instructed miners to refill the collapsed area. The move has been met with sharp criticism.
Mr. Boafo questioned NADMO’s response, describing it as inadequate and irresponsible given the magnitude of the risk posed by illegal mining in the area.
Experts have long warned that unchecked galamsey activities could destabilize entire communities. Notably, Professor Mireku Gyimah, Ghana’s first Mining Professor and a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), has repeatedly sounded the alarm that if illegal excavations continue unchecked, the whole Tarkwa township could one day collapse.
Residents and stakeholders are now calling on government and security agencies to immediately halt galamsey operations in the municipality and enforce stringent safety measures to avert further disasters.
Source – My News Ghana
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