The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have announced that Samuel Danquah, the Assembly member for Manso Aboabo, was killed yesterday, Tuesday, during a violent altercation at the Asanko Gold Ghana Ltd. concession at Mpatoam in the Amansie West District of Ashanti.
Following discussions between the management of the mine, the Regional and District Security Councils, and representatives of illegal miners, the GAF sent personnel to the concession in July 2025, according to a press release released in Accra on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, by the Department of Public Relations at Burma Camp.
It clarified that the deployment was made to safeguard people and property and to stop encroachment.
The GAF claims that the incident started on Monday, September 8, 2025, when troops on a regular patrol came across unauthorized miners working inside the concession’s restricted areas.
A young man is said to have drowned after falling into an abandoned pit while the miners were running away.
Groups of neighbors and illegal miners protested the next day by carrying the body to the military post at Esaase. The group reclaimed the body before the cops could come to collect it.
As the demonstration grew more violent, protesters stormed the concession and torched 14 pieces of heavy machinery, including articulated trucks, bulldozers, and excavators, on fire.
According to the GAF, warning shots were used to disperse the throng, and reinforcements were brought in. Mr. Danquah, one of the protesters, was hurt in the altercation and was later declared dead at an Nkawie facility.
“The Ghana Armed Forces deeply regrets the loss of lives and extends its condolences to the bereaved families and the community,” the statement said.
It also urged cooperation to prevent additional casualties and to protect national security, warning the people of Mpatoam and other mining communities against arming themselves to fight troops.
According to the Ghana Police Service, inquiries into the situation have already been launched.
Source: newsthemegh.com