Two individuals, including the Assembly member for the Aboabo Tetekaaso Electoral Area in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region, have been shot dead by soldiers guarding the Asanko mine concession following a violent confrontation with community members on Tuesday. Two others were injured from gunfire fired by the soldiers.
The Assembly member, Sampson Danquah, was killed while reportedly trying to calm tensions during the conflict with military personnel assigned to protect Asanko Gold Ghana Ltd. This occurred after the first victim, who had been spotted on the mining company’s concession, was shot dead by the military. The incident reportedly began when the security personnel stationed at the mine allegedly shot and killed the man who was found on the company’s property.
In response, some angry residents of Mpatuam mobilised and subsequently blocked the main road leading to the community, which resulted in a confrontation with the military personnel. In the ensuing melee, the security personnel gave warning shots ostensibly to disperse the angry youth. The Assembly member was hit in the process leading to this death and two other residents also sustained gunshot injuries.
Eyewitness account
Eyewitnesses report that the late Assembly member was attempting to broker peace by calming the residents when he was struck by a bullet, leading to his death. This tragic event adds to ongoing tensions in the Manso enclave, where residents have voiced concerns about intimidation, molestation, and harassment allegedly carried out by security personnel associated with the mine. These incidents have fostered an atmosphere of fear and mistrust, undermining the community’s social fabric and eroding the mutual respect that should exist between the corporate entity and its host communities.
Inquiry
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Manso Nkwanta Constituency, Tweneboa Kodua Fokuo, has called for an independent public inquiry into the deployment, conduct, and accountability of the military officers involved, coupled with the outlining of clear guidelines for the use of armed security in private commercial spaces. In a statement issued Tuesday, he urged the Ministry of Defence and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to take disciplinary and criminal action against the officers directly responsible for the shootings. “Furthermore, they must conduct a thorough review of their deployment policy to prevent the military from being used as an instrument of corporate intimidation” he said.
Additionally, he appealed to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Minerals Commission to investigate the role of Asanko Mines in this incident, including whether the company sanctioned or facilitated such excessive use of force, and to review the company’s social responsibility and community engagement practices. Also, he urged the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to independently examine the human rights violations suffered by the community and make binding recommendations for redress, including compensation for victims’ families, among others.
Way forward
On the way forward, he demanded the immediate suspension of all military personnel operating at Asanko Mines pending the outcome of investigations as well as full compensation and state recognition for the bereaved families, given the profound loss of an Assemblyman who served his people with dedication.
Similarly, he called for psychosocial support for the families and community members traumatised by the incident.
Writer’s email; gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh
