Obuasi Violence: Mahama Orders Probe Into Clash Between Soldiers And Illegal Miners That Left 7 Dead

• President John Mahama has ordered a probe into the clash between illegal miners and soldiers protecting AngloGold Ashanti Mines
• At least seven of the illegal miners were reported to have been killed after the violent clash on the evening of Saturday, January 18
• The government also asked the management of Anglo-Gold Ashanti to bear the medical expenses of those wounded in the incident

President John Mahama has ordered a probe into the clash between illegal miners and soldiers protecting AngloGold Ashanti Mines that left at least seven dead.

The government also expressed regret over the loss of life in the January 18 incident.

In a statement, the president called for anyone found to have acted unlawfully during the incident to be held accountable.

“In response to the unfortunate incident, President John Dramani Mahama has ordered an immediate investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the clashes and ensure that any individuals found to have acted unlawfully are brought to justice.”

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The government also asked the management of Anglo-Gold Ashanti to bear the medical expenses of the wounded and to facilitate the burial arrangements for those who have lost their lives.

The security agencies have also been directed to restore peace in the area and implement measures to prevent similar occurrences.

Political analyst Reindolph Afrifa-Oware linked the incident to the post-election disturbances that followed the National Democratic Congress's 2024 election victory.

Supporters of the party have attacked various state installations to loot and vandalise property.

Afrifa-Oware suggested to YEN.com.gh that the Obuasi fitted into the trend of bad actors being emboldened by the state's lack of action.

"One thing that scares me is how the Ghana Police Service hasn't been responsible in handling issues, and it will surely bite us in 2028," he remarked.

"Why must there be a seizure of state and private properties after every change of government? It sounds so normal depending on who won power, even the police seem helpless after over 60 years of independence."

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Ghana army's account of clash at Obuasi

There have been varying reports about the number of fatalities, which has ranged from seven to nine depending on the publication and source.

The Ghana Armed Forces said seven had been killed, the presidency noted eight, while a rep of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners told Reuters that nine people had been killed and 14 severely injured in the incident.

The army said about 60 illegal miners carrying locally manufactured rifles and other weapons breached the mine's security fence at around 11:00 pm and fired on a military patrol deployed there, leading to a shootout.

The military personnel have insisted that its forces acted in self-defence.

Some people subsequently attacked Angogold Ashanti's property and set fire to buses.

The company has since said that calm has returned to its site and added it was working with authorities to address the situation and prevent future occurrences.

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"Our primary concern is the safety and health of all our employees and those in our community who have been directly impacted by this incident.”

Joy News also reported that schools in the historical mining community have been closed on January 20.

The Obuasi West MP, Kwaku Kwarteng, called for urgent and thorough investigations into the incident.

Attack on Newmont mining site

YEN.com.gh also reported that there was a similar attack on a Newmont mining site at Ntotroso in the Ahafo Region on January 8.

The Ghana Police Service said the attackers allegedly tried to steal gold from the site of one of Ghana's leading mining companies.

Police also said a special team from Accra was dispatched to Ntotroso to investigate the incident after a violent clash at the site.

The Inspector-General of Police was part of the engagements with the community to prevent tensions from escalating further.

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Proofread by Bruce Douglas, senior copy editor at YEN.com.gh

Source: YEN.com.gh