Three Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) namely the National Coalition on Mining, Livelihood and Environment Ghana and Ahafo Civil society have condemned the shooting incident at Ahafo Kenyasi on Tuesday. One person was confirmed dead after police officers reportedly stationed at Newmont Mining Limited clashed with the youth at Kenyasi Number 2 in the Ahafo Region. The incident also left four others in critical condition. Sources have it that the personnel from the Formed Police Unit and Counter-Terrorism Unit stationed with the Newmont company had an altercation with a motor rider gunning one person down in the ensuing struggle. The CSOs described the act as barbaric, uncivilized, unethical, and unconstitutional the behavior of Newmont Ghana Ahafo and security personnel who took the law into their hands to kill innocent people. According to them, since 2004, 16 people have died due to the Newmont Ahafo South Mine operations and several others have suffered various injuries. Addressing a press conference in Sunyani, Mr Richard Adjei Poku, Executive Director of Livelihood of Environment Ghana who read the statement on behalf of the groups revealed that the death includes 13 adults and 3 children. "The 16 figure is the one that we can confirm and defend but those we don’t even know about are many. We can’t price the life of human beings and it is sad that Newmont is doing this to us”, he added. He has therefore demanded that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Akufo Dampare call the police personnel, particularly those designated to the various mining Communities to order, saying that they have no right to take the life of the people. “Newmont claims to be a responsible miner but its attitude and behavior contradict what it is saying and I will urge them to come clean”, said Mr Poku. He also called the regulatory agencies such as the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, EPA, and Minerals Commission to call Newmont to order. Violence erupts The FPU personnel are said to have chased the five persons last Tuesday, who were said to be riding on a tricycle popularly called “Aboboya” from a point on the main Ntotroso–Kenyase road to the outskirts of Kenyase Number Two, where they opened fire on the five, who were not armed, killing one instantly and injuring the remaining four.
Kenyasi youth protesting
The action by the police angered the entire youth of Kenyase who went on a rampage and besieged the Mensah Kumta Village, the official residential place for expatriates and some other management staff of Newmont. They reportedly ransacked and looted as many buildings as they could forcefully open. A resident of Kenyase, Adusa Yakubu, in an interview complained bitterly about the continuous harassment meted out to the people of Kenyase and other communities around Newmont Ahafo Mine by the FPU personnel since their arrival in the area months ago. According to him, personnel from the unit barely take instructions from the Police Command at Kenyase and sometimes subject residents to inhumane practices. He wondered why Newmont would deploy such security men in the area to terrorize people without any justifiable reasons.
Sympathy with family
Meanwhile, Newmont says it “is saddened by the turn of events and sympathizes with the family and friends of the deceased and those injured." In a press release signed by David Ebo Johnson, Director of Communications and External Relations, Newmont said relevant regulatory authorities have been notified of the incident while the company is currently cooperating with the Police with their investigations. “The company is also working closely with security personnel who have been deployed to the scene to keep the situation under control”, the release further said; adding that the circumstances surrounding the shooting are unclear, as there are conflicting accounts.
Let peace prevail
The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mines, George Mireku Duker has made a passionate appeal to the youth of Kenyasi and the management as well as staff of Newmont Mining Limited to bury the hatchet and allow peace to prevail.
Mireku Duker visited injured victims at the hospital
Mireku Duker said both the mining company and community owe each other a fiduciary duty and that it is imperative that calmness is restored for them to enjoy the full benefit of the relationship. Addressing the community and the management at separate meetings on Friday, November 18, 2022, the Deputy Minister urged the two parties to employ dialogue as the means of settling their differences, warning that violence will only incur losses. Detailing the purpose of his visit, Mr. Duker explained that he is on a fact-finding mission to uncover the remote and immediate causes that resulted in the chaos and will submit his findings to the sector minister, who will forward them to the security agencies for necessary actions to be taken. While describing the incident that led to the death of one resident as unfortunate, Mr. Duker said the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources will collaborate with the community, Newmont, and security agencies to ensure that whoever acted untowardly is dealt with and lasting peace is found. Duker who visited the injured victims of the mayhem expressed the sympathies of the Sector Minister, Samuel A. Jinapor, and hoped that some useful lessons will be picked from the unfortunate incident. He appealed to the traditional authorities to rally the youth and counsel them against violence and exercise restraints in their bid to strive for what they believe is due their community. “On behalf of the government, I send my sincerest condolence and sympathies to everyone. The Police are investigating the issue and government will collaborate with them. We’ve visited those in the hospital and I will pass on the needed information to the relevant authorities to ensure that the right things are done.” “I will urge you all to exercise restraint and be in the know that we are not overlooking the issue. The government is keenly following matters, and my presence here is to show that we are with you and concerned with all that is going on. Once again, my condolences to the family of the bereaved,” he said. In his engagement with Newmont Mining Limited, Mr. Duker advised them to cooperate with the security agencies to restore calm and ensure the safety of their staff. He disclosed the commitment of the government to creating an enabling environment for the company and other licensed mining companies to thrive. Mr. Mireku Duker remarked that the management of the company should take steps to establish a harmonious relationship with the traditional authorities so as to facilitate its smooth operation in the area. On behalf of the government, the Deputy Minister also visited the injured victims at the Hospital and expressed his warm felicitations whiles assuring them of a speedy recovery.