Barely hours after residents of Mpatuam in the Amansie West District attacked a military detachment guarding the Asanko Gold concession at Tetremu, armed soldiers stormed the community, forcing residents, young and old alike, to flee in fear.
What many described as a reprisal operation has left Mpatuam a ghost town. Residents, fearing brutality, abandoned their homes at the news of the soldiers’ advance.
Last Tuesday, tension boiled over when residents confronted soldiers, leading to the death of two people, including the Assembly Member for Aboabo Tetekaso, Sampson Dankwa.
Two others sustained gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatment.
Speaking to The Chronicle, the District Chief Executive for Amansie West, Prince Manu Moris, confirmed that the community had indeed been deserted.
“The community is deserted, owing to the presence of the military. We have engaged them and calm has since returned,” he assured.
Similarly, Samuel Sakye, Assembly Member for Mpatuam West, confirmed that the military’s reinforced deployment after the clashes has frightened residents into abandoning their homes.
“People are so scared that when they see the military uniform they run away,” he disclosed. Sakye further revealed that at about 11:00 GMT on Tuesday, soldiers attempted to enter Mpatuam, but the youth of the community resisted by burning tyres to block their advance.
Ghana Armed Forces Statement
Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has explained its side of the incident.
According to a statement shared with The Chronicle, the deployment at Asanko Gold began in July 2025 following consultations with the company’s management, the Regional Security Council, the Amansie West and South District Security Councils and representatives of small-scale miners.
The troops, GAF explained, were tasked with preventing encroachment on the concession and safeguarding lives and property.
On Monday, 8 September, 2025 during routine patrols, soldiers encountered illegal miners within restricted areas.
The miners fled, but one reportedly fell into an abandoned pit and drowned.
The following day, Tuesday, 9 September, 2025 agitated illegal miners and community members stormed a military base at Esaase, leaving behind the body of the deceased in protest. The police were called to retrieve the body, but the group reclaimed it before officers arrived.
According to the statement, the protest escalated into violent attacks. Heavy-duty machines, including excavators, bulldozers, articulated trucks, drilling machines and pickups—14 in total—were destroyed.
In the chaos, Assembly Member Samuel Danquah sustained injuries and later died at Nkawie Clinic.
GAF said the situation was eventually brought under control after reinforcements were deployed and warning shots were fired.
Expressing regret, the military extended condolences to the bereaved families and the community.
“The Ghana Armed Forces deeply regrets the loss of lives and extends its condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Mpatuam,” the statement read.
Warning to Mining Communities
The military command cautioned residents of Mpatuam and all mining communities against taking up arms against the security services.
“We urge all citizens to cooperate with the Armed Forces and refrain from acts that endanger lives or undermine national security,” the statement warned, adding that the Ghana Police Service has since begun investigations.
