A rush for alleged gold deposits has erupted at the ruins of the historic Obuasi Town Hall in the Ashanti Region, with residents digging through the collapsed structure in search of the precious mineral.
The development follows reports that traces of gold could be found among the remains of the more-than-100-year-old building, drawing scores of residents to the site.
Videos circulating on social media show people breaking apart blocks and searching through debris at the former Town Hall, located at the Obuasi Central Market.
Some residents, who spoke in the videos, cited economic hardship as a reason for joining the search.
“We are hungry. Just Town Hall and we are digging. We have been hungry for long,” some of them said, while insisting that the building was believed to contain gold.
Reports that some individuals had already recovered gold from the ruins have reportedly intensified the rush, with more residents joining the search.
The development has transformed the remains of the historic structure into an unexpected attraction, as residents comb through the debris hoping to make a find.
Historic building destroyed
The Obuasi Town Hall was gutted by fire on Saturday, September 5, 2026, before the structure eventually collapsed.
The building, which had stood for more than a century, housed more than 300 master tailors and their apprentices.
The fire reportedly destroyed between 300 and 400 sewing and knitting machines, leaving scores of artisans with significant losses.
Firefighters from Fomena, the Obuasi Municipal Fire Station and AngloGold Ashanti supported efforts to bring the blaze under control.
The cause of the fire and the veracity of claims that gold has been recovered from the ruins have not been established.
