A 24-year-old illegal miner has been left injured after he was shot by police officers stationed at Asanko Gold Mines allegedly in a renewed clash.
According to reports, the victim, Joseph Mensah, together with some youth from Abream in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region, evaded the company’s pit at Akwasiso to prospect for gold-bearing materials.
The police attempt to stop them resulted in a confrontation that required the officers to fire warning shots, leaving Mensah injured.
He suffered a fracture and injuries on his stomach.
He was rushed to the Agroyesum St. Martins Hospital where he is currently responding to treatment.
According to the Acting General Manager of Asanko Mines, Ahmed Muhadeeni Yahaya, the police officers had no choice but to defend themselves as the youth were allegedly armed with machetes.
He said two of the youth were arrested following the altercation.
“They went into our pit to take GBM (gold-bearing materials) which is not allowed. So in the course of that, they had an interaction with the security and they threatened with machetes to slash any policeman who will dare even come close to them.
“So in the course of that they had to fire a shot that hit one of the galamsey operators….., ”he said.
Mr. Yahaya added that in a reprisal attack, the youth mobilized, attacked, and vandalized the company’s vehicles burning one of their tipper trucks in the process.
However, the Assembly Member for the Abream Electoral Area, Amo Edward, said the attitude of the company towards the community folks is unfair and unacceptable.
He said the youth was only trying to process some of the waste products left by the company but came under attack.
Meanwhile, the District Chief Executive for Amansie South District, Clement Opoku Gyamfi, said the situation has been recurring but the assembly is considering measures to bring lasting peace between the company and the communities.
He urged the youth to remain calm as their grievances will be appropriately addressed.