Kwaku Kwarteng, the Member of Parliament for Obuasi West, has called for swift and thorough investigations into the violent clash between alleged illegal miners and military personnel in Obuasi, which resulted in the deaths of seven individuals.
The tragic incident occurred late on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at around 11:00 PM, when a group of approximately 60 illegal miners reportedly breached the security fence of the Obuasi mine and attempted to access the Deep Decline area.
A press release from the Ghana Armed Forces’ Department of Public Relations detailed the confrontation, stating that the miners, armed with locally manufactured rifles, pump-action guns, knives, axes, gas cylinders, and other tools, opened fire on the military personnel when confronted.
Addressing the incident, Mr. Kwarteng expressed deep concern over the loss of lives and injuries sustained during the altercation. He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, stating, “I have contacted both the Divisional Police Command and the Municipal Police Command, who have assured me that investigations are being conducted into the unfortunate loss of lives and injuries to others.”
The MP also noted that he expects the Military Command to conduct a thorough review of the events leading up to the clash. “I am confident the Military Command is also reviewing the incident to uncover the details of the build-up to the unfortunate event and what exactly took place at the scene of the encounter,” he said.
To ensure transparency, Mr. Kwarteng urged the findings to be presented to President John Dramani Mahama. “It is my expectation that our security agencies would put the findings of their reviews and investigations before His Excellency the President, John Dramani Mahama,” he stated.
He further called on the government to expedite the investigation process, stressing the importance of justice for the victims and their families. “We urge government to speed up these investigations and act swiftly on the findings to ensure that the law takes its course and that justice prevails. Once again, we send our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.”
In response to the incident, President Mahama has already directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deadly clash.
This development highlights the growing tensions between illegal mining activities and security efforts in the Obuasi region, with calls for decisive action to address the underlying issues and prevent future tragedies.