News
Student, 20, dies in galamsey pit
The dusty mining town of Manso Akwasiso in the Amansie South District of Ashanti is heavy with grief.
On Tuesday, February 17, the life of a 20-year-old, Evans Allotey—a student, son, and miner—was cut short in a way that has left his community shaken and angry.
Evans, a second-year student at Okomfo Anokye Senior High School, had joined friends at a small-scale mining site when soldiers stormed the area.
Witnesses say the military arrived in three pickups, firing live rounds to disperse miners. In the chaos, Evans fled. His escape ended in tragedy when he stumbled into a deep galamsey pit.
“He could have been saved,” one miner recalled bitterly. “We tried to reach him, but the soldiers fired warning shots to keep us away. We watched him die.”
For residents, the pain is not only in the loss of a promising young man but in the manner of his death.
The Assembly Member of the area, Nsiah Kesse, condemned the soldiers’ actions, calling them “unacceptable” and accused them of overseeing Evans’s death. He further alleged that the military in the area has been deployed for land reclamation at nearby Manso Nyankomase.
The outrage spilled onto the streets as aggrieved residents staged a demonstration on last Wednesday (February 18) to register their displeasure.
Joining them was Nana Kwakye Gyimah Yeboah II, Chief of Akwasiso, who appealed directly to the government, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Minister for the Interior to intervene to end the harassment, restore calm, and deliver justice.
“This is not just about Evans,” the Chief said. “It is about the fear that grips our people every time soldiers arrive. It is about dignity, about the right to live without intimidation,” he lamented.
The death of Evans Allotey, the Chief noted, “is not just one family’s pain. It has become a reminder of the uneasy relationship between local communities and the soldiers sent to control mining.”
He said, “the town is waiting. People want answers. We want justice for Evans. And above all, want peace so life can go on without fear.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
THE 2026 Akwambo Festival at Gomoa Amoanda in the Ga East District has been held with a call for unity, peace, and collective action towards local development.
The festival, celebrated under the theme: ‘Unity, Peace and Development,’ provided a platform for community leaders and residents to highlight critical challenges affecting health, education, water, and sanitation in the area.
The durbar took place on Saturday at the Town Square of Gomoa Amoanda, attracting chiefs, elders, and residents from across the district.
Addressing the gathering, the Odikro of Gomoa Amoanda, Nana Kofi Budu Sersah IV, appealed for urgent government and stakeholder support to address the lack of a CHPS compound, reliable drinking water, proper school infrastructure, and additional teachers.
He disclosed that land had been allocated for the construction of a CHPS compound and called for support from the government, corporate bodies, and benevolent individuals.
Touching on sanitation, Nana Budu Sersah IV noted that the construction of a public toilet had stalled due to financial constraints and appealed for assistance to complete the project.
Representing the Central Regional Minister, Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere, the District Chief Executive for Gomoa East, Margaret Naana Ackom, pledged government support for key development initiatives.
She announced a donation of 20 bags of cement for the public toilet and assured further assistance for other projects once land was made available.
The Prampimhene of the Awutu Traditional Area in the Central Region, Nana Okromansah Klordey I, who also serves as the Mankrado of Pakro Akuapim in the Eastern Region under the stool name of Nana Ntow Amoah II, expressed concern over rising drug abuse among youth.
By Stephanie Birikorang
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
THE Ofankor–Nsawam road commuters appear to have breathe a sigh of relief over the progress of work on the road project which has reached 81 per cent completion.
A visit by The Spectator to the project site revealed that a significant portion of the road had already been asphalted, while most of the storm drains and culverts had been completed.
In addition, the various flyovers and pedestrian footbridges were at different stages of completion.
This appears to be the best news for commuters that ply the road daily as information indicated that the project would be completed on schedule.
According to the Chief Resident Engineer, Kwabena Bempong, steady progress had been made across the 33.4-kilometre stretch.
He expressed the hope that the remaining works would be delivered within the revised timeline, subject to the resolution of outstanding land issues at Nsawam Junction.
The Ofankor–Nsawam road forms part of National Route Six (N6), a major arterial highway linking Accra to the northern parts of the country and extending further to the Sahelian regions of West Africa.
The project scope includes the construction of four major interchanges at Amasaman, Pobiman, Medie and Nsawam Junction, alongside service roads and other ancillary facilities and is valued at $346.5 million.
By Kingsley Asare
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
