The mother of a 25-year-old man who reportedly drowned at a galamsey site in the Western Region says her son left home without informing the family because he knew they would disapprove of his decision to engage in illegal mining.

Speaking in an interview with Afro City Extra shared on X by EDHUB on May 23,, 2026, the grieving mother, said her son, who was from Bantama in the Ashanti Region, later informed his sister that he had arrived at the mining site, but the family was unable to reach him afterwards.

Mother and three children drown in abandoned galamsey pit

“My son didn’t tell me where he was going because he knew if he told us he was going to do illegal mining, we wouldn’t allow him to go,” she said.

She disclosed that it was her son’s first time engaging in galamsey after he was allegedly lured by another miner with promises of earning GH¢700 daily.

“This was his first illegal mining job. I heard one of the illegal miners at the site convinced my son to join them because he would get GH¢700 cedis daily from illegal mining. Unfortunately, he lost his life,” she recounted.

The 25-year-old reportedly drowned at the galamsey site under circumstances yet to be officially detailed.

The deceased is said to have left behind a daughter.

His mother also lamented the circulation of graphic images of her son’s body on social media, saying she has been unable to look at the photos.

See the videos below:

A 26-year-old man from Bantama in the Ashanti Region has reportedly drowned at a galamsey site in the Western Region after allegedly being lured there by a friend with promises of earning GHS700 daily from illegal mining activities.

VC:Afro City Xtra pic.twitter.com/e8OB5d7RTO

— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) May 23, 2026