A 3-year-old boy has narrowly escaped death at Bibiani Old Town in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai municipality of the Western North region after a mining blast sent a large rock crashing into his home.
The explosion, carried out by Asante Gold Bibiani Limited, has raised serious safety concerns among residents, who say such blasts have become a daily threat to life and property.
According to the boy’s father, Edwine Cyril Young, his family had just stepped out of their room after hearing a warning about the scheduled blast. Moments later, a massive rock fell from the sky and landed inside their house barely missing the child.
“We rushed outside after hearing the warning. Just after the blast, a huge rock flew into our home. It could have killed my son,” Mr. Young recounted.
Residents report that frequent blasting from the mining site has repeatedly damaged their buildings and appliances. Many say they live in constant fear of the next explosion.
In the wake of this near-tragedy, community members are appealing to President John Dramani Mahama, the Minerals Commission, and Asante Gold Bibiani Limited to urgently resettle affected residents before a major disaster occurs.
“We are not safe. Our lives are in danger every day. We are pleading with the authorities to move us to a safer place before something worse happens,” a resident lamented.
As the calls for action grow louder, residents hope that their plea will not go unheard.
4 feared dead, others critically injured after a rock blast in Budumburam
By Mathew Ahiaveh|Western North Region
