Some irate youth of Manfo, Subrisu and Fante Communities in the Ahafo Ano North Municipality of the Ashanti Region have asked the government to, as a matter of urgency, stop the state security agencies from unnecessarily harassing them at the community mining site at Fante.
They have threatened the government not to, in its wildest dream, bring ballot boxes to the catchment areas in the upcoming 2024 general elections, if the said harassment of the local miners continues.
Mr. Samuel Akowuah, an NPP polling station Chairman at Manfo and Chairman for the site at a press conference last Monday at Fante explained that the community mining was officially opened by the Deputy sector Minister, Mireku Dukar and the MCE Matina Nyantakye for the since 2021.
According to him, the youth have been working at the site as mandated, without flouting any of the rules and regulations guiding mining, yet the security agencies, including the Police, Military and Forestry guards continue to harass them on daily basis.
He disclosed that not too long ago, two of their members were shot dead by the forestry guards, and just recently five of the members including the NPP polling station Chairman at Subrisu were also arrested and detained to date, with their whereabouts unknown. He said the military are harassing them at the site without any provocation.
Mr. Akowuah sounded a word of caution to the government, stakeholders and anybody behind the unlawful attacks to stop immediately, else they may be compelled to stage non-stop demonstrations against the authorities and policy makers in the municipality.
Mr. Kwabena Amoateng, the spokesman for the youth in community mining, also expressed worry over the stress and psychological trauma that the women among them go through, because the military are always on their heels.
According to him, the livelihood of the youth, especially women in the area, is being threatened.
