Baomahum —The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has investigated the death of Fatmata Mustapha, a spotter at FG Gold Mining Company in Baomahun, Valunia Chiefdom, Bo District, who died in a workplace accident involving a grader during road construction on the 3rd October, 2026.
The investigation, led by Ing. Osman Conteh, forms part of the Ministry’s mandate to establish the circumstances surrounding workplace accidents and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.
The team engaged the police, the company’s Health and Safety and Human Resources departments, medical personnel and eyewitnesses to gather evidence and establish the sequence of events leading to the fatality.
Peter Baidoo, a site foreman and MMU operator, told the team that he witnessed the grader approaching Fatmata while construction equipment was operating in the area.
He described the incident as a near miss that quickly escalated, leaving him unable to intervene. He subsequently alerted colleagues through WhatsApp after experiencing difficulties making a regular call due to limited data connectivity.
Mark Murray, a paramedic at the company’s clinic, said Fatmata sustained fatal crush injuries from the grader’s front wheel.
According to his account, she may have approached the operator’s cab to ask him to reverse because the machine was obstructing the road. He said the scene was secured and cordoned off to protect the deceased and prevent further exposure to the incident.
Murray further disclosed that grader operator Samuel IT Clinton underwent drug and alcohol tests, which returned negative results. The police subsequently took him into custody for further investigation. He added that the company organised mental health support sessions for workers and others affected by the incident.
Inspector Menjor, Crime Officer at Baomahun Police Station, said officers learnt of the accident after noticing members of the community rushing towards the FG Gold site.
Following confirmation of the fatality, the police visited the scene, arrested the operator and notified senior officers. Traffic officers from Bo later conducted further investigations.
In his account, Clinton said he had completed the machine’s pre-start checks before commencing work.
He explained that he took over the grader from another operator and continued grading and constructing drainage channels when he saw Fatmata signalling him to stop because other vehicles were approaching. He said he stopped and began reversing while monitoring his mirrors but did not know how Fatmata came under the machine.
Expressing remorse over the incident, Clinton said he remained traumatised by the death and worried about the welfare of Fatmata’s family and the future of her children.
Fatmata’s husband, Mustapha Bundu, said he was away at work when the incident occurred and learnt of his wife’s death upon returning home.
He acknowledged the assistance provided by the company, including transportation and financial support for the burial, as well as subsequent assistance to the family.
However, Bundu appealed to the company to support the education of his children and, if possible, provide employment for a member of the family to help sustain their livelihood.
The Ministry’s investigation is aimed at establishing the circumstances and contributing factors surrounding the fatality and recommending appropriate measures to strengthen workplace safety and prevent similar tragedies. The findings and recommendations will be important in promoting compliance with occupational safety requirements and protecting workers’ lives.
Source: Communications Unit
MELSS
