President John Dramani Mahama has ordered investigations into the shooting incident between some illegal miners and soldiers at the Anglo Gold Ashanti gold mine that claimed eight lives.
The President has asked that investigations be conducted to bring the culprits to book.
In a letter signed by the president’s spokesperson, Felix Ofosu-Kwakye, he said “The government wishes to express deep regret over the tragic loss of up to eight (8) lives, said to be illegal miners, following a violent clash at a mining site in Obuasi.”
“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,” he added.
However, the government has asked the management of Anglo-Gold Ashanti to bear the medical expenses of the injured individuals fully and facilitate the burial arrangements of those who have lost their lives.
“The security agencies have also been tasked to take prompt action to restore peace in the area and implement measures to prevent similar occurrences,” he noted.
Here is the Ghana Armed Forces’ version of what happened
The Ghana Armed Forces has detailed issues surrounding the January 18, 2025 shooting incident that occurred at the Anglo Gold Ashanti mines leading to the killing of seven persons.
According to a release signed by the Director General of Public Relations, Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, on Saturday 18 January 2025 at about 2300 hours (11:00 pm), illegal miners numbering about 60 breached the Anglo Gold Ashanti mines security fence and intruded at Cote D’or Ramp.
He noted that the illegal miners aimed to enter the Deep Decline of the mines, hence retaliation by officers on the ground resulted in shooting since the illegal miners were wielding various weapons.
“The military patrol deployed on Operation HALT II duties at the mentioned location were fired upon by the illegal miners when the soldiers tried to stop them from accessing the Deep Decline.
“The illegal miners were wielding locally manufactured rifles, pump action guns, gas cylinders, knives, heavy-duty industrial bolt cutters, axes and machetes,” he added.
However, the shootout became fatal as the soldiers resorted to self-defence.
The shootout led to the death of seven illegal miners with one seriously injured.
GAF noted that the remaining illegal miners bolted but a soldier who was also hit by pellets from a pump action gun and got injured has been treated.
Six pump action BB cartridges were retrieved, it added.
“The Ghana Armed Forces(GAF) wishes to reiterate its caution to all and sundry that military personnel on authorised duty have the right to defend themselves, innocent civilians, and property, including the use of lethal force, if necessary to preserve life.
“GAF wishes to urge all illegal miners to stay away from mining concessions and also desist from engaging troops in shootouts since the consequences of such actions could be fatal,” it concluded.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
