Mpatoam: 2 people including Assembly member shot dead by soldiers protecting Asanko mine concession following violent confrontation with community members
Two people, including the Assembly member for the Aboabo Tetekaaso Electoral Area in the Amansie West District in the Ashanti Region have been shot dead by soldiers protecting the Asanko mine concession following a violent confrontation with the community members on Tuesday at Mpatoam.
Two others sustained injuries from gunshots reportedly fired by the soldiers.
The Assembly member, Sampson Danquah was shot dead at a time he was reportedly trying to intervene to calm tempers following the violent clash with the military personnel attached to Asanko Gold Ghana Ltd.
This was after the first victim [unidentified], who had earlier been spotted on the concession of the mining company, had been reportedly shot dead by the military personnel.
The community members, angered by the incident, went on a rampage, and this reportedly forced the military personnel stationed at the mine to protect the concession.
Some angry residents of Mpatuam mobilised and subsequently blocked the main road leading to the community, which resulted in a confrontation with the military personnel.
In the ensuing melee, the security personnel gave warning shots ostensibly to disperse the angry youth.
The Assembly member was hit in the process, leading to this death, and two other residents also sustained gunshot injuries.
Eyewitness account
According to eyewitnesses, the late Assembly member was trying to broker peace by calming down the residents but was hit by a bullet, resulting in his death.
The latest incident adds to previous confrontations between residents in the Manso enclave who continue to raise concerns over intimidation, molestation, and harassment allegedly perpetrated by security personnel attached to the mine.
These incidents have created a climate of fear and mistrust, undermining the social fabric of the community and eroding the mutual respect that must exist between a corporate entity and its host communities.
Inquiry
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Manso Nkwanta Constituency, Tweneboa Kodua Fokuo, has called for an independent public inquiry into the deployment, conduct, and accountability of the military officers involved, coupled with the outlining of clear guidelines for the use of armed security in private commercial spaces.
In a statement issued Tuesday, he urged the Ministry of Defence and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to take disciplinary and criminal action against the officers directly responsible for the shootings. “Furthermore, they must conduct a thorough review of their deployment policy to prevent the military from being used as an instrument of corporate intimidation” he said.
Additionally, he appealed to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Minerals Commission to investigate the role of Asanko Mines in this incident, including whether the company sanctioned or facilitated such excessive use of force, and to review the company’s social responsibility and community engagement practices.
Also, he urged the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to independently examine the human rights violations suffered by the community and make binding recommendations for redress, including compensation for victims’ families, among others.
Read also: Asanko Gold Ghana Ltd. clarifies incident at Mpatoam
Way forward
On the way forward, he demanded the immediate suspension of all military personnel operating at Asanko Mines pending the outcome of investigations as well as full compensation and state recognition for the bereaved families, given the profound loss of an Assemblyman who served his people with dedication.
Similarly, he called for psychosocial support for the families and community members traumatised by the incident.
Writer’s email; gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh
