'Galamsey pit collapses and deaths are due to rituals by the ‘Nananom’ — Nana Kwaku Bonsam

• Traditional priest Nana Kwaku Bonsam has claimed that recent galamsey pit collapses and deaths are linked to the anger of the gods over the destruction of water bodies.

• Speaking to Onua TV, he said traditional priests have performed sacrifices and other spiritual interventions to combat illegal mining, which he believes are beginning to have an effect.

• He also warned chiefs allegedly involved in galamsey, saying they could face similar consequences if they fail to stop supporting activities that damage the environment.

Speaking to Onua TV, the traditional priest alleged that rituals carried out by some members of the Nananom could have angered the gods, with the resulting pit collapses being a form of spiritual retaliation for the destruction of Ghana’s natural resources.

Kwaku Bonsam, whose real name is Stephen Osei Mensah, is based in Afrancho in the Ashanti Region, where he operates the Kofi oo Kofi shrine. He is also the President of the National Priests and Priestesses Association and has previously spoken strongly against illegal mining.

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His latest comments come amid renewed concern over the number of miners dying in galamsey-related accidents, particularly when poorly secured mining pits collapse.

Responding to suggestions that traditional priests and the gods had done little to stop illegal mining, Kwaku Bonsam claimed that several spiritual interventions had already been carried out.

According to him, sacrifices and other rituals performed by traditional priests were having an effect, pointing to recent galamsey pit collapses as evidence of what he described as the gods' displeasure.

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He suggested that the destruction of forests and water bodies through illegal mining had provoked spiritual consequences.

While his claims reflect a spiritual interpretation of the crisis, there is no independently established evidence linking mining accidents to supernatural causes.

Kwaku Bonsam also directed a warning at traditional leaders whom he believes are supporting or facilitating illegal mining activities.

He cautioned chiefs involved in galamsey that they could potentially face similar consequences if they continued to allow the practice to destroy their communities and the environment.

His comments have added another layer to the long-running national debate over how Ghana should tackle illegal mining, which has been blamed for severe environmental damage, particularly the pollution of rivers and destruction of forests.

Kwaku Bonsam has previously positioned himself as an outspoken opponent of illegal mining.

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In October 2024, he announced plans for a major demonstration involving members of the National Priests and Priestesses Association. He said the group was prepared to invoke spiritual measures against people involved in galamsey if conventional efforts failed.

At the time, he argued that appeals from pastors, security agencies and other authorities had not succeeded in bringing the illegal mining crisis under control.

He also alleged that some chiefs and government officials had visited traditional priests in mining communities to perform rituals connected to mining activities. He claimed that some of those communities subsequently experienced health problems and mining-related tragedies.

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Those claims, like his latest comments about pit collapses, remain allegations and have not been independently established as causes of the deaths.

Ghana's fight against galamsey continues to involve law enforcement, environmental protection measures and public campaigns, while the loss of lives in mining accidents remains a major concern.