Dr. Ken Ashigbey, Convener for the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, has called for decisive action against illegal mining activities, following a violent clash at AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi mine that resulted in multiple fatalities.
He emphasized the urgency of addressing the persistent issue of ‘galamsey’ to prevent further tragedies.
The incident occurred on Saturday night when approximately 60 individuals armed with locally manufactured rifles breached the mine’s security, leading to a firefight with military personnel.
The Ghana Armed Forces reported that seven illegal miners were killed during the confrontation.
In response to the incident, President John Dramani Mahama has ordered an immediate investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the clash and ensure that any individuals found to have acted unlawfully are brought to justice.
The government has also directed AngloGold Ashanti to cover the medical expenses of the injured and assist with burial arrangements for those who lost their lives.
Dr. Ashigbey further stressed the importance of strengthening law enforcement to combat illegal mining effectively.
He stated, “It is important that we strengthen the hands of the police. There are police people who have been transferred just because they arrested people.”
He urged the government and relevant stakeholders to take comprehensive measures to address the root causes of ‘galamsey’ and prevent future occurrences.