Traditional authorities and residents of Manso Tontokrom in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region have strongly rejected reports alleging that a fatal mining pit collapse occurred in their community, describing the publication as inaccurate, misleading, and damaging to their reputation.
The rebuttal follows a 6:00 a.m. broadcast by JoyNews on Monday, March 2, 2026, which claimed that about ten illegal miners had died after a mining pit collapse at Manso Tontokrom. The report quickly gained public attention and sparked concern within and beyond the district.
However, community leaders insist that no such incident took place in Manso Tontokrom or any of its surrounding communities. They clarified that the tragic incident referenced in the report actually occurred at Atta Ne Atta in the Asutifi South District, and not in Tontokrom as initially reported.
Addressing the media, the Mmamahene of Tontokrom, Nana Adu Gyamfi Kumanin, categorically denied the claims and warned that the continued circulation of the report risks tarnishing the image of the community. He cautioned media houses responsible for the publication to issue a correction and a formal apology within three days or face legal action.
“We cannot sit unconcerned while our community’s name is dragged into an incident that did not occur here,” Nana Adu Gyamfi Kumanin emphasised. “The media must act responsibly and ensure that facts are thoroughly verified before publication. Failure to do so will compel the traditional council to seek redress through legal means.”
Residents who spoke to the media expressed disappointment over the report, stating that it had caused unnecessary panic among families and created confusion within the district. They stressed that Manso Tontokrom remains calm and that no mining disaster has occurred in the area.
The District Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) for Amansie South, Mr. Iddrisu Ishaq, also urged journalists to exercise due diligence in their work. He noted that inaccurate reporting can create avoidable tension and put pressure on local authorities who are compelled to respond to incidents that did not occur within their jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, authorities have revised the death toll from the illegal mining pit collapse at Atta Ne Atta to nine. Rescue operations and investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident in the Asutifi South area.
Traditional authorities and residents of Manso Tontokrom have therefore called for responsible journalism and the immediate correction of the error, emphasising that accuracy in reporting is essential to safeguarding the integrity, reputation, and development efforts of communities.
