AKYEM KWABENG, E/R. — Chiefs of Akyem Kwabeng in the Atiwa West District of the Eastern Region have called for an independent investigation into a recent confrontation involving some residents engaged in mining activities, personnel of the Ghana Police Service and an Assembly task force.
The traditional authorities have also condemned what they described as the indiscriminate firing of gunshots during the incident, saying a thorough probe is needed to establish the circumstances that led to the clash.
Addressing a press conference at Akyem Kwabeng, the Okyeman Gyasehene and Akyem Kwabenghene, Dasebre Ayimadu Kantamano II, said the incident occurred when police officers and members of a task force allegedly pursued some youth engaged in mining activities under a youth cooperative arrangement with Extra Gold Mining Company.
According to the chief, preliminary investigations by the traditional authorities suggest that the confrontation was not primarily about illegal mining but rather an alleged dispute over the boundaries of the mining area.
Dasebre Ayimadu Kantamano II said the youth were accused of crossing into an area purportedly under the jurisdiction of Akyem Anyinam, a claim he said the youth disputed.
He questioned the involvement of the police and an Assembly task force in what he described as a boundary or land-related matter, arguing that such disputes should ordinarily be addressed through the appropriate traditional and statutory mechanisms.
He further alleged that the police action followed instructions from the Atiwa East District Assembly.
The Kwabenghene described the development as unfortunate and cautioned that failure to properly investigate and resolve the matter could heighten tensions among the youth, the Assembly and security agencies in the area.
The Akyem Tafo Zongo Chief, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim, also expressed concern over the incident, saying some of the affected persons were members of his community.
He called for a thorough investigation to establish exactly what transpired and help prevent a recurrence.
The Assembly Member for the Akyem Kwabeng-Achiease Electoral Area, Hon. Abu Karim, also condemned the incident and expressed concern about what he described as the conduct of some officials and security personnel in the district.
He further alleged that some District Chief Executives may have interests in mining activities, which he claimed could influence decisions and undermine peace in mining communities.
Meanwhile, one of the miners who said he was affected during the confrontation recounted his experience, describing what he claimed happened on the day of the incident.
He also called on the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the clash.
The District Chief Executive for Atiwa West, Hon. Johnson Anom Amo, declined to comment in detail on the incident but confirmed that he intervened on the day and helped ensure calm was restored.
The chiefs have reiterated their call for an independent investigation, saying the outcome should help establish the facts and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the community.
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