Tension is rising at Gwira Ampansie in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region following the alleged killing of the biological brother of the community chief, Nana Kojo Mensah, by suspected armed men reportedly connected to illegal mining activities in the area.
The deceased, identified as 46-year-old Mensah Ango, was allegedly shot by armed men said to have been brought into the community to provide security for an illegal mining site operated by a company identified as PRP.
According to sources in the community, the armed men have been firing gunshots indiscriminately to intimidate residents who oppose the mining operations.
Reports indicate that Mensah Ango had been sent by the chief, together with some linguists, to invite officials of the mining company to the palace over concerns regarding alleged illegal mining activities on community lands. However, during the process, the armed men allegedly opened fire, killing him.
The incident has triggered outrage among the youth in the community, some of whom have threatened to burn mining equipment and properties belonging to the suspected illegal miners in retaliation.
Residents further alleged that the same armed men have previously shot and killed at least three other persons in the community for openly resisting the illegal mining activities.
Speaking in an interview, the Chief of Gwira Ampansie, Nana Kojo Mensah, expressed concern over the growing insecurity in the area and accused state authorities, particularly the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), of failing to act despite repeated complaints against the mining company and the conduct of the armed men.
The chief further alleged that the illegal miners appear to be receiving protection from some state officials, making it difficult for the community to obtain justice.
Nana Kojo Mensah is therefore calling on the government, especially President John Dramani Mahama and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), to urgently intervene and remove the mining company, PRP, from the community following the repeated attacks and killings.
According to the chief, life has become unbearable for residents, many of whom are poor and powerless, leaving them unable to secure the attention of authorities.
He warned that the continued inaction by authorities has emboldened the illegal miners to operate with impunity, leaving residents living in fear and insecurity.
Meanwhile, responding to the incident, the Municipal Chief Executive for the Nzema East Municipal Assembly, Herbert Kuah Dickson, confirmed that he had been informed about the development and immediately directed the police to intervene.
According to the MCE, six persons, including three foreign nationals, have so far been arrested in connection with the incident.
Mr. Kuah Dickson assured residents that the Assembly, together with the security agencies, would take the necessary steps to maintain peace, law, and order in the community.
