The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has expressed deep regret over the deaths that occurred during violent clashes at the Asanko Gold Ghana Limited concession in the Amansie area earlier this week.
In a statement following the unrest, the military said it “deeply regrets the loss of lives and extends condolences to the bereaved families and the community.”
While extending sympathies to the affected families, GAF cautioned residents of Mpatuam and other mining communities against arming themselves to confront security personnel, urging citizens to cooperate with the Armed Forces and refrain from acts that endanger lives or undermine national security.
According to GAF, its personnel were deployed to the concession in July 2025 following consultations with the Regional and District Security Councils to protect lives, property, and the company’s operations from illegal mining activities.
On Monday, September 8, troops on patrol encountered illegal miners in restricted zones. The miners fled but later alleged that one person drowned in an abandoned pit while escaping. The following day, groups of illegal miners protested by carrying the deceased’s body to the military base at Esaase.
The civil police was contacted to retrieve the body; however, the group reclaimed the body before the arrival of the Police.
Subsequently, the illegal miners, together with a crowd from adjoining communities, attacked and burnt heavy-duty equipment, including articulated trucks, excavators, bulldozers, mining drilling machines, tipper trucks, pick-up vehicles, among many others, noting that a total of 14 equipment were destroyed.
According to GAF, in the course of the confrontation, the Assemblyman for Manso Aboabo, Mr Samuel Danquah, sustained injuries and was later pronounced dead at a clinic in Nkawie. Reinforcements were deployed and warning shots were fired to restore order.