Tension has erupted in Manso Nyankomase in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region after a violent clash between soldiers and residents.
The confrontation occurred during a reclamation exercise at a mining site on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Five people sustained gunshot injuries in the incident.
The incident transpired when a contingent of armed soldiers reportedly invaded the town to remove miners and residents from a mining area designated for reclamation as part of the government’s ongoing initiative against illegal mining.
The youth group, which asserted they had not been notified about the exercise, accused the military of employing excessive force and brutality.
What was anticipated to be a peaceful operation devolved into chaos when some residents resisted the military’s attempts to evict them from the site.
Narrating the incident, Stephen Nsiah Kesse, the Assemblyman for the Kompese Electoral Area, stated that the soldiers arrived early in the morning and instructed all individuals working or residing near the mining site to vacate immediately.
However, some residents requested additional time to collect their belongings and tools before departing.
Tensions further heightened when the soldiers allegedly began pursuing individuals from the site, discharging gunfire to disperse the crowd.
“In the process, five people were hit by bullets. They were not armed or fighting. Some were only trying to run away, but the soldiers kept firing. The whole place was filled with panic and shouting,” he recounted.
He noted that calm has since been restored to the community, with residents resuming their normal activities.
He remarked that the contractor employed force to remove individuals from the site despite a prior agreement to consult with community members before commencing the exercise.
The victims, whose identities were not immediately disclosed, were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Their conditions were reported as critical but stable.
In the aftermath of the shooting, outraged youth from Manso Nyankomase took to the streets to protest against what they termed military brutality.
They obstructed the main Manso–Datano road, set tyres ablaze, and sang war songs, demanding justice for the victims and prompt government action.
The demonstration resulted in significant disruptions to traffic and economic activities, leaving travellers stranded for several hours.
Some residents who spoke to reporters expressed deep concern about the identity of those responsible for the reclamation operation, asserting that no official explanation or notification was provided before the activity.
According to them, they are uncertain whether the operation was authorised by government officials or led by political figures from the Manso Adubia Constituency.
