Story by George Yawson Vineh
The Group, are extremely concerned by the incident at Newmont’s Ahafo South mines, where reports indicate that, police officers who were protecting Newmont’s site, shot and killed three people and injured others on 8th January 2025.The deceased and injured persons who are believed to be indigenes of Acherensua in the Ahafo region, were alleged to have engaged in illegal mining activities on the concession of Newmont’s Ahafo South mines.
Whilst the tragic incident is under investigation, it has sparked significant public outrage and condemnation among the youth, some traditional authorities in Acherensua and other neighbouring communities who are of the belief that, the response of the security agencies to the alleged illegal mining activity was excessively disproportionate to the allegation of trespassing leading to the needless deaths and injuries.
The Group is calling on government to conduct an independent investigations into the underlying insecurity and human rights violations in mining communities, particularly those impacted by Newmont Ahafo North and South activities.
They further call on the Inspector General Police to investigate the conduct of the police personnel deployed to protect Newmont and the incident that have resulted in the needless deaths and injuries to poor and vulnerable people.
Attached is a Press Release: