The Assistant Headmaster of Mpatasie D/A Junior High School in the Amansie South District, Akwasi Anane, has died after falling into a 'galamsey' pit.

The incident happened at Manso Mpatasie, near Manso Odaho in the Ashanti Region on Tuesday.

According to reports, the teacher, who is also secretary to the local unit committee, had gone to his mining concession in the late hours of Tuesday.

Assembly member of the Nweneso Electoral Area, George Duku Acheampong, said Akwasi Anane regularly checked on his concession, though he had not been active in the mining activities.

"The teacher is a miner and he sponsors people to work for him whenever he is at school. Due to the fight against illegal mining, he has packed out of the site. Sometimes, you will have to go to ensure that no one steals from the site or mine your concession," he said.

The Assembly member further explained, "since it was late, he missed his step and fell into a pit". The victim doubles as a committee secretary so he is an important person in the community.

The community has been thrown into a state of mourning due to diverse roles played by the deceased in the area.

"The whole community is sad because the teacher has helped a lot of people in terms of education," he added.

The body has been deposited at St. Martin’s Hospital at Agroyesum for autopsy and preservation.