A violent clash between small-scale miners and military personnel guarding the AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Mine has left eight people reportedly dead.
Four vehicles were burnt in the confrontation in the Ashanti Regional town.
The incident which occurred last night, has heightened tensions in the area.
According an eyewitness who spoke to the media, the small-scale miners besieged the premises of the mine at midnight, arriving fully armed and opening fire.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear. Soldiers guarding the facility responded with gunfire, leading to the deaths of over eight miners.
Injured individuals have been transported to the Obuasi Government Hospital and the AGA Hospital for medical treatment, while the situation in the town continues to deteriorate.
Four vehicles, including buses, have reportedly been torched, further heightening fears among residents.
VOICE OF EYEWITNESS
Following the incident, the Government has expressed profound regret over the tragic loss of up to eight lives, reportedly involving illegal miners, following violent clashes at a mining site in Obuasi.
The unfortunate incident has sparked nationwide concern, prompting swift action from President John Dramani Mahama.
In a statement, the President ordered an immediate investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident, assuring the public that anyone found to have acted unlawfully would face justice.
“In response to the unfortunate incident, President John Dramani Mahama has ordered an immediate investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the clashes and ensure that any individuals found to have acted unlawfully are brought to justice,” portions of the statement noted.
In the wake of the tragedy, the government has directed the management of AngloGold Ashanti to fully cover the medical expenses of the injured and to assist with the burial arrangements for those who lost their lives.
President Mahama has tasked the security agencies with taking decisive action to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has confirmed that military personnel returned fire in self-defense after a group of illegal miners attacked soldiers on patrol at the Anglo Gold Ashanti mine in Obuasi on Saturday night.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in a press statement revealed that the illegal miners, armed with locally manufactured rifles, pump-action guns, gas cylinders, knives, axes, machetes, and heavy-duty industrial bolt cutters, opened fire on the soldiers. In response, the troops returned fire in self-defense.
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