The General Secretary of the Small-Scale Miners Association, Godwin Armah, has revealed its plans to address the recent clash between illegal miners and military personnel in Obuasi.
Mr. Armah stated that the national executives will travel to Obuasi to assess the situation, engage with local miners, and find a resolution.
“We are going to Obuasi today to see how things have progressed. We will speak to our people there and engage them to understand the situation better.
“As far as mining issues are concerned, we have an interest in resolving this,” he said in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem.
He stated that while their members were not directly involved, they must investigate and find solutions due to the impact on the peace and stability of Obuasi.
He therefore urged the youth to remain calm and not escalate the situation.
“We are coming to Obuasi to ensure that the issue is resolved. I call on the youth to take it easy.”
Mr. Armah also reacted to the confusion surrounding the incident, which involved a group of approximately 60 illegal miners.
“There have been many different accounts, which make the situation a bit confusing. As per the law, miners do not have the right to enter another person’s concession, and even if they want to, they need permission. This needs to be thoroughly investigated,” he said.
According to reports, the miners breached the security fence of the mine and attempted to enter the Deep Decline area, armed with rifles, knives, and other tools.
When confronted by military personnel, the miners opened fire, leading to a dangerous confrontation.
Reflecting on the military’s response, Armah added,
“The way the military responded is unfortunate. If they had taken their time, this could have been resolved peacefully. We must wait and investigate to understand all sides of the story” he added.
Mr. Armah also noted that a similar incident occurred in 2016.
At that time, a committee was formed to engage with the youth, remove them from underground mining, and provide them with better alternatives.
He therefore believes that a similar approach can help resolve the current issue and ensure lasting peace in Obuasi.
“It is unfortunate what happened, but we believe that with the right approach, we can resolve the issue and restore peace,” he said.
The clash took place late on Saturday, January 18, 2025, around 11:00 PM, and has raised concerns about the safety of both miners and military personnel.
Mr. Armah and the Small-Scale Miners Association remain committed to finding a peaceful solution that benefits all parties involved.
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