Hundreds of youth at Manso Tontokrom in the Amansie South district of the Ashanti Region have had a sleepless night after blocking the entry of military personnel to their mining site.
During the protest, the youth blocked the community’s entry road at the outskirts of the town, burning tires to symbolize their anger and frustration.
About 50 military personnel who arrived at the scene were not able to enter the community.
According to the youth, they have mined on their land for decades and are not ready to lose it to foreigners.
Speaking to Adom News, Richmond Osei, the leader of the youth group, said they are not involved in illegal mining, but rather community mining, which they accused Asanko Mines of using military force to bully them for the land.
“This large-scale mining company has been in Manso for years, and we haven’t witnessed any development from them. They’re leaving our youths unemployed and our community dusty. We won’t allow them to take over,” he lamented.
According to him, last year, there was a deadly clash that led to the death of one community member and two soldiers.
However, this time, they were peacefully protesting.
“We’re calling on the government to intervene and settle this issue once and for all because there’s no way we’re going to give the land to them,” he said.
During the protest, the youth invoked the gods with schnapps, eggs, and fowls to curse the people behind the military invasion.
The military personnel left the scene after some minutes without harming anyone.
Currently, the Tontokrom community is calm, and people have returned to their businesses.