The Ashanti Regional Minister-designate, Dr Frank Amoakohene, and some regional executives of the National Democrat Congress have been engaging the youth in Obuasi, families of the deceased, and Management of AGA to restore calm in the community following the death of nine miners.
The nine miners died as a result of a clash between them and military officers protecting the AshantiGold Ashanti (AGA) Mine. They were shot by the military officers when they (miners) attempted accessing a restricted area of the mine.
President John Dramani Mahama, on Sunday January 19, ordered investigations into the shooting incident. Relative calm has since been restored in Obuasi and security beefed up, although schools remain shut down due to the incident.
Interacting with the bereaved families and the youth, the Ashanti Regional Minister-designate said, “We don’t want anyone to take the law into their hands. The President has given his assurance of pursuing the matter to its meaningful conclusion. We want everyone to remain calm. The security officers are not supposed to be our enemy but our protectors.”
Dr Amoakohene assured that, “We will do a thorough investigation in this to make sure that we don’t lose lives as painful as we have again.”
Meanwhile, seven out of the nine miners who died have been buried. The bodies were released to the family on Tuesday, January 21 after an autopsy was conducted. The seven, all Muslims, were buried according to Islamic rites amidst heightened tension in the area.
One out of the four injured receiving treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is still battling for his life as the bullet is said to have pierced through a critical part of his body.
Illegal miners’ continuous intrusion into the concession AngloGold Ashanti to prospect for gold has been leading to unrests between the youth and the mining firm for several years.
Stakeholder discussion is currently ongoing to find a lasting solution to the perennial disturbances.
