A clash between residents of Manso Mpatasie and national security operatives last Tuesday has left one person injured in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region.
The incident occurred when security operatives attempted to confiscate excavators believed to have been used for illegal mining.
The operatives have embarked on operations to stop illegal mining in the area, but residents and miners became agitated when the security operatives attempted to track down packed excavators, sparking a confrontation.
One person was injured during the clash and was admitted at St. Martin Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum, in the Amansie South District.
The incident has raised concerns about the approach to combating illegal mining and the need for a more practical solution that balances enforcement with community needs and livelihoods.
The leader of the aggrieved residents, Mr. Kwaku Bobie, claimed that the security operatives’ actions were unlawful since the excavators were not found at a mining site.
He expressed the community’s anger, stating that the excavators were being targeted unfairly since they were parked at home.
Mr George Acheamoong, the Assembly member for the community, expressed concerns about the recent activities of security agencies against small-scale miners.
He stated that attacking individuals at their homes could undermine the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining. Some youth in the community appealed to the President, John Dramani Mahama and the government to consider the plight of the youth and put proper measures in place to create job opportunities in the mining sector to absorb the youth.
