Several pits dug by illegal mining operators in the compound of Kyebi School for the Deaf in the Eastern Region, is threatening the lives of its 235 students.

The illegal miners started digging these pits some few meters from the classrooms four years ago.

The children have to restrict themselves to just a few metres from their classrooms to play. Anymore and they stand the risk of tripping and drowning in pits dug around the school compound.

Joy News' Beatrice Adu reported that the situation has worsened with the onset of the rains as the large pits are filled to the brim.

One child is said to have died in one of the pits two years ago.

Some residents are afraid to speak publicly about the matter. They have accused some chiefs and persons they describe as ‘big people’ as supporting these illegal miners.

School officials and residents are calling on the Ghana Education Service to urgently come to their aid and build a wall around the school to protect the children or risk more deaths.

Kyebi has become popular for illegal activities than for its natural resources. 

The Birim River, which used to be a source of drinking water for the people in the area has been heavily polluted with Ghana Water Company (GWC) requiring huge doses of expensive water treatment chemicals to make it drinkable.

President John Mahama last March, described the area as the headquarters of illegal mining, popularly called “galamsey”.