News
Galamsey Pits Claim 22 Lives In Central Region — NADMO
More than 22 people have drowned in abandoned illegal mining pits in the Central Region over the past seven months, according to Kwesi Dawood, Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
He said the deserted pits had claimed the lives of both illegal miners, commonly called galamseyers, and innocent individuals, particularly women and children with no connection to mining activities.
Describing the situation as both “alarming” and “heart-breaking,” Mr. Dawood warned that the actual figures could be higher due to underreporting.
He made the disclosure at a media briefing after a Regional Security Council meeting, which also launched a taskforce to reclaim illegal mining sites across all mining districts in the region.
The taskforce, which will operate in Assin North, Assin Central, Upper Denkyira East and West, Twifo Ati-Morkwa, Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira, and the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality, comprises security agencies, NADMO, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Minerals Commission, miners, and the media.
Mr. Dawood said the initiative aimed to address the environmental destruction and safety hazards caused by illegal mining.
It also forms part of the government’s broader plan to convert degraded galamsey sites into productive agricultural land and tree plantations — a project spearheaded by the Regional Minister, Mr. Ekow Payin Okyere Eduamoah.
As part of the effort, heavy machinery has been deployed while free crop seedlings will be distributed to communities to encourage planting on reclaimed lands, thereby providing alternative livelihoods.
“This initiative includes implementing our ‘Tree for Life’ reforestation policy, aimed at cultivating cash crops such as cocoa, palm and rubber on rehabilitated sites,” he explained.
Mr. Dawood urged illegal miners to abandon their harmful activities and join the reclamation drive to restore farmlands and protect national food security.
Representing the Regional Minister, Mr. Abdullah Amoh called on miners to support the initiative as community engagement and mapping of degraded areas continue. He stressed that reclaiming sites through reforestation, soil rehabilitation and water purification would restore natural habitats and secure livelihoods for communities dependent on healthy ecosystems.
He added that the projects would help reduce flooding risks, water contamination and health problems linked to toxic exposure.
Mr. Amoh assured that government would strengthen enforcement against illegal mining, allocate resources for sustainable land restoration and roll out public awareness campaigns to discourage galamsey while encouraging community participation in environmental protection.
He underscored government’s commitment, stating: “Addressing the aftermath of illegal mining is vital for ecological balance, economic sustainability and the well-being of present and future generations. Without coordinated action to reclaim degraded sites, the environmental and social costs will continue to rise.”
myjoyonline.com
Energy
See The Areas That Will Be Affected By Power Outages On June 4
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced multiple power outages for Thursday, June 4, 2026, affecting communities in the Tema, Eastern, Central, and Western Regions, with a combination of planned and emergency maintenance exercises scheduled across the country.
In the Tema Area, a planned maintenance exercise will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00pm. The affected areas include the Sea Water Desalination Plant, Maranatha, Buade, Glow Lamp, Frimpongmaa Estates, Abrantie, Dan Adams, Coastal Estates, Basket, GCB Training School, Ataa Adama, Royal Ravico, Junction Mall, Regimanuel Estates, Parakuo Estates, Queensland International School, Kpoo Keke, Best Western Premier Hotel, Leisure Hours Hotel, and extensive parts of Nungua including Zongo, Township, Traditional Council, Polyclinic and Secondary School. Also affected are the Kpeshie Divisional Police Headquarters, Coco Beach, Main 1, Father’s Hotel, C5 and surrounding areas. The notice was originally issued on Monday, June 1.
In the Eastern Region, a planned maintenance exercise will run from 8:00am to 5:00pm, affecting Sekesua, Anyamoni, Oterkpolu, Bukonor, Asesewa, Akateng and surrounding areas. This notice was originally issued on Tuesday, 2nd June.
The Central Region will experience a planned outage from 9:00am to 3:30pm, affecting Brimso Headworks, Akaikrom, Police Barrier, Ankaful Junction, Mpeasem, WAEC, Yayaaikawa, Wanyiwato, part of Dominase, Duakyimase and surrounding areas.
In the Western Region, ECG will undertake two separate exercises. The first is an emergency maintenance from 10:00am to 2:00pm, affecting Dixcove, Busua, Cape 3, Agona Damtsi, GREL and surrounding areas. The second is another emergency maintenance from 9:00am to 4:00pm, affecting Akoon, UEE, parts of Market Circle, Railway Quarters, Apinto Hospital, Cyanide, Kwabedu, Alhaji Dauda, New Atuabo, Budo City, Banso, Esuosu and surrounding areas.
ECG has expressed regret for the inconvenience that will arise from all these exercises. The company has advised affected customers to make alternative arrangements for power-dependent activities during the specified hours.
All notices were originally issued between Monday, June 1 and Wednesday, June 3, 2026. ECG assured that power supply would be restored to all affected areas upon completion of the scheduled maintenance works. Customers have been encouraged to contact ECG’s official communication channels for further updates.
graphic.com.gh
General News
Today’s Newspaper Headlines: Thursday, 4th June, 2026
General News
Assin Edubiase: School Bus ‘Plunges’ Into River, Two Pupils Killed
Tragedy struck when a school bus transporting more than 40 pupils of a preparatory school at Assin Edubiase in the Assin South District of the Central Region veered off the road and plunged into a river.
It resulted in the death of two kindergarten pupils of the Alice Elites Academy.
The deceased, a three-year-old and a five-year-old, were among pupils who were in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter bus with registration number AS 2218-20.
The accident occurred on the Assin Kwafokrom-Homaho stretch on Monday [June 1, 2026].

Graphic Online understands that the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, it veered off the road, and plunged into the river.
Dozens of pupils got injured.
ASP Wonder Lumor from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Central North Regional Police Command told Graphic Online that the 40 injured pupils were transported to health facilities for emergency medical care.

According to him, 22 of the victims were taken to the St. Francis Xavier Hospital, while the 18 others received treatment at the Assin Edubiase Health Centre.
ASP Lumor explained that all the injured pupils responded positively to treatment and were later discharged.
graphic.com.gh
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