President John Dramani Mahama has ordered an immediate investigation into the violent clashes at a mining site in Obuasi, Ashanti Region, which led to the death of eight individuals, reportedly illegal miners. The investigation aims to determine the causes of the incident and ensure that anyone found to have acted unlawfully is held accountable.
The Government, in a statement issued by Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Acting Spokesperson to the President, expressed deep regret over the tragedy and directed AngloGold Ashanti to cover the medical expenses of the injured and assist with the burial arrangements for those who lost their lives. The statement also tasked security agencies with restoring peace in the area and implementing measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) earlier confirmed that seven individuals died, and one was injured after illegal miners breached the security fence at AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi mine on Saturday night. According to a statement signed by Brigadier General Eric Aggrey-Quarshie, Director of Public Relations for the GAF, approximately 60 illegal miners intruded at the Cote D’Or Ramp in an attempt to enter the Deep Decline of the mine.
The illegal miners reportedly fired gunshots at the military patrol deployed as part of Operation HALT II. Armed with locally manufactured rifles, pump-action guns, gas cylinders, knives, axes, and other weapons, the miners engaged in a shootout with the military. The GAF stated that troops returned fire in self-defense, resulting in the deaths of seven miners and the injury of another. One soldier was also injured by pellets from a pump-action gun but has since been treated. Six pump-action cartridges were retrieved from the scene.
AngloGold Ashanti has also acknowledged the incident in a separate statement.
