A near-fatal incident involving a massive rolling stone at a quarry site in Buoho, Afigya Kwabre South District, has reignited urgent calls for the immediate removal of residents illegally occupying high-risk quarry zones.

The incident occurred when a huge stone—described as too large for a person to lift—suddenly detached and rolled downhill near inhabited areas, narrowly missing houses and residents.

Panic ensued as locals initially suspected quarry workers were responsible, but an investigation by CTV’s Cudjoe Nana Nyarko revealed the event was the result of a natural geological hazard.

Emmanuel Addai, Manager of Kas Products Limited, attributed the stone’s movement to a natural “avalanche phenomenon,” where unstable rocks become dislodged without human interference.

He stressed that such hazards make the area unsafe for human settlement.

“It is very unfortunate that people still encroach on these areas, making the work of quarry operators difficult,” Mr Addai stated, pointing out that encroachments not only endanger lives but also cause operational and financial setbacks for lawful quarry companies.

In the wake of the near-tragedy, Mr Addai and other major quarry operators in the area—including ADU 2 Quarry, Modern Quarry, EMS, and World Cool Quarry—have jointly called on Municipal and District Assemblies, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and relevant government bodies to enforce laws prohibiting habitation in quarry zones.

The companies are urging swift action to remove all encroachers before a fatal disaster occurs, emphasising that continued illegal settlement in these hazardous areas poses an unacceptable risk to human life.