Residents and traditional authorities in Manso Keniago in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region are demanding an independent investigation into a deadly confrontation with personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), which has left six people dead and 15 others injured.
The community is seeking justice for the victims and accountability for those involved in the incident, which reportedly erupted over the transportation of excavators seized during an anti-illegal mining operation.
Nana Obeng Mensah Ababio II, the Domi-Keniago Chief, has called for justice, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the deaths must be thoroughly investigated.
The confrontation reportedly began after residents and traditional authorities objected to the decision to transport the seized excavators through the community using a tarred road.
They allegedly insisted that the heavy equipment should be moved on low-bed trailers rather than driven through the community.
The disagreement subsequently escalated into a confrontation between residents and NAIMOS personnel, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
However, the two sides have presented conflicting accounts of how the violence unfolded.
In an earlier statement, NAIMOS claimed its personnel encountered an armed group attempting to obstruct the movement of the excavators.
The Secretariat said its officers fired warning shots to disperse the group, but two of its personnel sustained gunshot wounds during the confrontation.
Residents and traditional authorities have disputed that account, maintaining that the excavator was not seized from Manso Keniago but was merely being transported through the community along a government tarred road.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, November 11, the community further alleged that one of its chiefs was physically assaulted and that gunshots were fired at his vehicle during the incident.
The residents have consequently appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and the Inspector-General of Police to order an independent investigation, provide medical assistance to those injured and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
The Assembly Member for the area, Charles Oduro, had earlier reported four deaths and 15 injuries while visiting victims receiving treatment at St Martin’s Hospital. He indicated that some of the casualties came from neighbouring communities.
The latest reported death toll has risen to six, although the precise circumstances surrounding the fatalities and the use of firearms remain to be independently established.
