A video has surfaced on social media of a purported Chinese galamseyer being swept away in a river in the Western Region while reportedly engaging in illegal mining activities.
In the viral video, a man was being taken away by the galamsey water; however, it could not be identified if the man was Chinese.
Some other galamseyers at the site stated, “The Chineseman has fallen in the water, the water has taken him away, someone should catch him. Doesn’t anyone know how to swim?”.
Also, reports suggest over 11 illegal miners are feared dead after being trapped in an abandoned mining pit at Bogoso-Prestea in the Western Region.
Local reports say the miners were working inside the old pit when it suddenly caved in, leaving several people buried underground. Emergency teams and community members are attempting to reach the victims, but rescue efforts have been difficult due to the unstable nature of the pit.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the Cabinet has approved the Public Tribunals Bill.
According to John Mahama, the approval of the Public Tribunals Bill is aimed at fast-tracking the prosecution of galamsey cases.
President Mahama explained that the Public Tribunals Bill will strengthen the country’s resolve to clamp down on galamsey activities.
He highlighted that the measure forms part of the government’s broader efforts to curb environmental destruction and protect Ghana’s forests and water bodies.
Speaking during a meeting with the Christian Council at Jubilee House on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, John Mahama stated, “What the Cabinet did was to pass the Public Tribunals Bill so that we will push issues related to illegal mining to the public tribunals. They will adjudicate faster and ensure that justice is seen to be done”.
“If this comes into effect, we will be able to process cases against illegal mining even quicker,” he added.
In related news, Abena Osei-Asare, the former Deputy Finance Minister, has strongly criticised the government’s allocation of just GH¢150 million to combat illegal mining.
During the 2026 budget debate, she argued that GH¢150 million funding is woefully inadequate, comparing it to attempting to win a battle with plastic chairs, and would be ineffectual in addressing the problem.
Abena Osei-Asare challenged the government’s stated priority of fighting illegal mining, highlighting that the GH₵150 million allocated to the relevant ministry represents a mere 0.003% of the total budget.
Watch the video below:
🇬🇭 A Chinese illegal miner has drowned in a river in the Western Region while reportedly engaging in unauthorized mining activities. pic.twitter.com/dYQwFYBVBy
— CDR AFRICA (@cdrafrica) November 19, 2025