The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) has strongly condemned the violent clashes that resulted in nine deaths at the AngloGold Ashanti Ghana mining site in Obuasi, Ashanti Region, on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
The incident occurred during an operation by the military task force “Operation Halt II,” aimed at targeting illegal mining activities.
According to a statement issued by GNASSM on Sunday, January 19, 2025, the clashes led to the fatalities and left fourteen others critically injured. These individuals are receiving treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
The Association expressed condolences to the bereaved families and wished a swift recovery to the injured.
GNASSM criticized the military’s approach, suggesting that alternative measures could have been used to apprehend the trespassers without resorting to violence. It condemned the act as a violation of human rights and called for accountability.
Furthermore, the Association commended President John Dramani Mahama for ordering investigations into the incident and appreciated the government’s directive to AngloGold Ashanti to cover the medical expenses of the injured and facilitate burial arrangements for the deceased.
GNASSM urged calm among the youth and small-scale miners in Obuasi, assuring that they would collaborate with stakeholders to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragic event and work towards finding lasting solutions.
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