Prez orders probe into Obuasi mine deaths
The government has expressed profound regret over the tragic deaths of up to eight individuals, reportedly illegal miners, following a violent confrontation at a mining site in Obuasi. The clash, which occurred at AngloGold Ashanti’s concession, has sparked national concern and prompted swift action from the highest office.
President John Dramani Mahama has directed an immediate investigation into the incident to uncover the circumstances surrounding the violence. He emphasized that any individuals found to have acted unlawfully must be held accountable.
In a statement issued by the Office of the President, the government asked AngloGold Ashanti to assume responsibility for the medical expenses of those injured during the altercation and to facilitate burial arrangements for the deceased.
The statement noted that to prevent further unrest, security agencies had been tasked with restoring calm in the area and implement measures to avert future clashes.
The development follows heightened tensions in mining communities, as illegal mining activities, often referred to as “galamsey,” have led to numerous conflicts involving miners, security personnel, and concession holders. The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) issued a statement putting the number of deaths at seven, explaining that the miners were the first to open fire on the troops.
