Opeikuma, a town in the Awutu Senya East Municipality, is in mourning following the tragic drowning of a 19-year-old girl in an abandoned quarry pit. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of the community.

According to a witness, the unfortunate incident occurred last Monday evening during rainfall. The deceased, accompanied by her siblings, left them to swim in the water, and she was swept into the abandoned pit left by Atiwa Stone Quarry in 2019. The pit has claimed two lives and three others have been rescued in separate incidents.

Eyewitnesses, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that traditional leaders were informed of the incident, and a search led to the discovery of the girl in the pit. The quarry, which ceased operations in 2019, has been a source of problems for the community, including property damage.

The grieving father, Bashiru Abubakar, declined to speak to the media.

In response to the tragedy, the quarry company denied any wrongdoing, asserting that they acquired the land, including a buffer zone, from the traditional authority. However, the chiefs later sold portions of the demarcated buffer zone to developers, leading to the recent tragedies.

Alphonse Mensah, the Manager for Atiwa Stone Quarry, stated that the company had issued multiple warnings to the community against trespassing in the area, but these warnings were ignored.

Nana Opei Mensah, the Chief of the Area, shared his perspective, emphasizing that the company had extended its territory beyond the agreed boundaries.