Dr. Frank Amoakohene is the Ashanti Regional Minister-designate
The Ashanti Regional Minister-designate, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has cautioned Ghanaians not to label or categorize those who died in the violent clash between the military and community residents as illegal miners.
In an interview on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, January 20, 2025, Dr. Amoakohene stressed the importance of allowing ongoing investigations to establish an accurate timeline of events and properly identify the victims before drawing any conclusions.
In addressing the incident, Dr. Amoakohene described the seven deceased individuals as persons who had breached the security of the Anglo Gold Ashanti mining company, despite the Ghana Armed Forces categorising them as illegal miners.
“Because the investigation is ongoing, we will not want to be in haste to describe them in any manner that could preempt the investigation that is why we are referring to them as such,” he explained.
The seven individuals were killed after reportedly attempting to breach the premises of the Anglo Gold Ashanti mining company. Several others, including military personnel, sustained varying degrees of injuries.
According to the Ghana Armed Forces, the persons who attacked the AngloGold Ashanti mines were illegal miners and not small-scale miners, who numbered about 60.
The statement further indicated that the 60 men breached the AngloGold Ashanti mines security fence and intruded the Cote D’or Ramp to enter the Deep Decline of the mines.
Following the breach, 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,” part of the statement added.
MAG/EK
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