Residents of Ntobroso in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region have raised alarm over what they describe as a growing death toll linked to illegal mining activities in the community.

At least seven people have lost their lives in separate illegal mining incidents since January 2026, largely due to pit collapses and other hazardous conditions associated with the galamsey activities.

Residents say the deaths highlight the dangerous conditions under which many young people continue to operate in abandoned pits and unregulated mining sites.

Community leaders say most of the victims were young men who had turned to illegal mining in search of quick income.

Some residents told JoyNews that abandoned mining pits scattered around the community have become death traps.

They are therefore calling on authorities, including the local assembly and security agencies, to intensify operations against illegal mining and reclaim abandoned pits to prevent further loss of life.

The Ntobroso community has for years been associated with illegal mining activities. Previous anti-galamsey operations in the area have sparked tensions between residents and security agencies.

But residents say without urgent intervention, more lives could be lost as illegal mining continues to spread across the area.