By Christiana Afua Nyarko, GNA
Accra, Sept 10, GNA – The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) patrol operations at the Asanko Gold Limited Concession in the Ashanti Region turned violent on Monday when the troops encountered illegal miners operating within restricted zones of the concession.
The miners fled upon seeing the military but in the process a young man reportedly fell into an abandoned pit and got drowned.
The following Tuesday, groups of illegal miners and residents carried the body to the military base at Esaase in protest. Before the police could arrive to retrieve it, the group took back the body.
The protest escalated and the group of illegal miners, joined by residents from adjoining communities, attacked the company and burnt 14 pieces of equipment, including articulated trucks, excavators, bulldozers, mining drilling machines, tipper trucks, and a pick-up vehicle.
A statement issued by the GAF, signed by Naval Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, the Acting Director General, Department of Public Relations, on Tuesday said the confrontation led to the injury of Samuel Danquah, an Assemblyman for Manso Aboabo, who was called upon to calm the people. He was pronounced dead at a clinic at Nkawie.
The GAF explained how the military personnel were deployed to the Asanko Gold Company concession after an extensive engagement by the management with the Regional Security Council, Amansie West and South District Security Councils and representatives of the illegal miners in July 2025.
That was done to prevent encroachment by unauthorised individuals and protect lives and property.
The GAF expressed “deep regrets” to the loss of lives and extended its condolences to the bereaved families and the community and cautioned the people of Mpatuam and other mining communities to desist from arming themselves to confront the military.
“We urge all citizens to cooperate with the Armed Forces and refrain from acts that endanger lives or undermine national security,” the release said.
The Ghana Police Service has since commenced investigations into the matter.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe