President John Mahama has requested that AngloGold Ashanti, the management of the mine where a violent clash resulted in up to eight deaths, bear the full medical expenses for those injured.
They have also been asked to facilitate burial arrangements for those who lost their lives.
The Government in a statement on January 19, 2025 further ordered an immediate investigation into the incident.
The directive comes after the Ghana Armed Forces GAF confirmed the death of seven illegal miners and one other sustaining serious injuries during the violent clash between the GAF and illegal miners at the AngloGold Ashanti Mine on Saturday 18 January 2025 at about 11:00pm.
In a statement issued on Sunday January 19 2025, GAF emphasized that military patrol deployed on Operation HALT II duties returned fire in self-defence.
The statement said “on Saturday 18 January 2025 at about 2300 hours (11:00 pm), illegal miners numbering about 60 breached the Anglo Gold Ashanti mines security fence and intruded at Cote D’or Ramp. The aim of the illegal miners was to enter the Deep Decline of the mines.”
“The military patrol deployed on Operation HALT II duties at the mentioned location were fired upon by the illegal miners when the soldiers tried to stop them from accessing the Deep Decline. The illegal miners were wielding locally manufactured rifles, pump action guns, gas cylinders, knives, heavy duty industrial bolt cutters, axes and machetes.”
The troops returned fire in self-defence. The shootout led to the death of seven illegal miners and one seriously injured. The remaining illegal miners bolted away. A soldier who was also hit by pellets from a pump action gun and got injured has been treated. Six pump action BB cartridges were retrieved.
“The Ghana Armed Forces(GAF) wishes to reiterate its caution to all and sundry that military personnel on authorised duty have the right to defend themselves, innocent civilians, and property, including the use of lethal force, if necessary to preserve life.”
Find the statements below
Read more news on atlfmnews.com
