Over the week-end, seven people have been killed following a clash with soldiers at a mine in Ghana’s central Ashanti region, according to the Army on January 20.
The Ghana Armed Forces reported that around 60 illegal miners, armed with “pump action guns” and other weapons, forced their way into a mine run by AngloGold Ashanti. When the miners were intercepted by the soldiers, they allegedly opened fire, prompting the military to retaliate in self-defence.
The Army’s statement confirmed on January 20 that the confrontation led to several fatalities and injuries. A representative of the miners, however, denied that they had been armed.
In the wake of the deaths, protests erupted in the town of Obuasi, where several vehicles, including buses, were set on fire by angry residents. The violence saw demonstrators storm the grounds of AngloGold Ashanti, destroying equipment and further escalating tensions. Local small-scale miners and residents have long accused the company of exploiting mineral resources without sufficiently contributing to local development or job creation. The violence is seen as part of broader frustrations, with some local mining groups demanding access to the company’s mining concessions.
In response to the killings, President John Mahama has called on January 20 for an investigation into the incident, promising that anyone found guilty of unlawful actions will face justice.