By Nicholas Osei-Wusu
One person has been confirmed dead with four others injured out of which one with gunshot wounds is at the Emergency Unit of the BenHart Hospital at Kenyase Number Two in the Ahafo region.
Property valued at millions of Ghana cedis belonging to the Newmont Ahafo Mine and a private contractor of the mine have also been vandalized.
This follows an alleged invasion of the official residential estate of the Mine by some irate youth of Kenyase Numbers One and Two.
Correspondent Nicholas Osei-Wusu reports that 31-year old Francis Ameyaw died of gunshots.
Last Tuesday, November 15, 2022, before midday, a mob of youth from the two Kenyase towns allegedly invaded the Mensah Kumda Village or MKV, the Senior Management Staff residential estate of Newmont Ahafo Mines near Kenyase Number Two and caused extensive destruction to property belonging to the Mine and some private individual and construction company.
The Police say they are still investigating the cause of the attack and were therefore unwilling to speak to the media.
According to a video footage in the possession of Management of Newmont Mining Company, youth of Kenyase in two successions invaded the ‘Mensah Kumda Village’ or MKN, the residential estate for the Senior Management Staff of Newmont Ahafo Mines at Kenyase Number Two.
The attack resulted in the destruction to parts of the staff quarters where the irate youth are accused of also stealing some electrical and household appliances such as air conditioners, Tv sets, and vadalized the security Post where certain critical security installations were destroyed.
In all, 22 of the staff houses are said to have been damaged.
Company staff, teachers and pupils of the company’s basic school within the premises have been traumatized.
A total of seven vehicles were destroyed including two small and big tipper trucks in addition to a tricycle have been burnt beyond repairs.
In reaction to the incident, a Deputy Minister responsible for Mining, George Mireku-Duker, has paid a visit to the area to ascertain the cause and extent of the damage .
He first visited the privately owned BenHeart Hospital at Kenyase Number Two where one of the four injured, 28-year old Yaw Asamoah, who is said to have sustained strayed bullets is still on admission receiving emergency medical care.
Yaw Asamoah, a native of Dormaa Ahenkuro but resident at Kenyase Number Two, was rushed to the Hospital in an emergency condition but is now responding to treatment.
He gave an account of the incident.
“I followed a crowd to where someone had been reportedly shot by the police. While standing at Cooperative watching things unfold, I saw the police fire warning shots into the sky. But, suddenly, all I could see was a policeman fire his gun into the ground where I was and the bullets strayed into my arms badly injuring me in the chest and arm,” Asamoah narrated.
The Medical Superintendent of the BanHeart Hospital, Dr. Philemon Billa, said the condition of the only injured on admission has now been stabilized and explained his situation.
“He came in in a very bad state but the other three, admitted, treated and discharged,” Dr. Billa confirmed.
Accompanied by the Asunafo South District Chief Executive and the District Police Commander, the Deputy Lands and Natural Resources Minister visited also two other injured persons who are brothers at their home where they are recuperating.
Mr. Mireku-Duker made donations to the victims.
The Deputy Minister met and addressed a group of youth of Kenyase Number Two. He explained to them that his visit was to ascertain the reality of the violence and that thorough investigations will be conducted to unravel the actual cause of the incident to avert a recurrent.
Mr. Mireku-Duker visited also MKV of Newmont and was taken around some of the alleged vandalized staff quarters and vehicles. He and his delegation were also shown the video footage as captured in the heat of the invasion of the premises by the youth.
The General Manager of Newmont Ahafo Mine, Alex Anin, condemned the incident but expressed the company’s sympathies to the í bereaved family and the injured. He however called for a swift police investigation to help bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We sympathize with the family who have lost a dear one as a mine, we condemn the shooting incident. We expect the Police who are a key stakeholder yo dig into the matter and bring the perpetrators to book.” the General Manager said.
In reaction to the videos and level of destruction, he expressed shock and assured of sending a report to the government for action to promote mutual; cooperation and trust among Newmont Ahafo Mine, and its catchment communities, especially the two Kenyase towns.
“It is a very unfortunate situation. As a government, we’ll not relent in our efforts in unearthing the truth and all other circumstances that caused this very bad situation. I believe you’ll cooperate with the security agencies to restore calm. We’ll also ensure that workers of this important installation will have that enabling environment to work.”
He reiterated that nobody is above the law and that anyone found culpable will be be dealt with according to the law.
The Deputy Minister however entreated Newmont Ahafo Mines to do their best to peacefully co-exist with its catchment Communities.
