The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ken Ashigbey, has called for a state of emergency in parts of the Manso area of the Ashanti Region following a deadly confrontation between residents and personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).

At least six people were killed and 15 others injured in the incident on Wednesday, 11 November, after a dispute over the transportation of seized excavators through Manso Keniago escalated into gunfire.

Reacting to the violence, Ashigbey said the situation had deteriorated beyond an ordinary crisis and warned that attacks on security personnel engaged in the fight against illegal mining posed a serious threat to national security.

“I do not know why we do not realise that the crisis is gone beyond crisis & if these criminals start fighting back at the military then we are in grave trouble,” he said.

“This asks for a state of emergency in this area for example to give government the power to take control of situation that is out of control.”

Ashigbey identified the Manso enclave in the Amansie South District as an area where illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, was being conducted openly and with little apparent resistance.

“The Manso areas is a testimony of an area that we should declare a state of emergency. Galamsey is done here with impunity and in clear sight. What are the Regional Minister, MCE, Police Commanders & BNI doing there?” he queried.

He warned that the situation threatened Ghana’s democratic institutions and called for a combination of enforcement measures and incentives to promote responsible mining.

“Our very existence and democracy is in grave trouble. The stick has to go with the carrot of trying to get people to mine responsibly.”

“We cannot keep on putting NAIMOS lives in danger,” he added, urging Ghanaians to speak out and demand action.

Ashigbey said the Ghana Chamber of Mines was developing an alternative framework for small-scale mining that would protect miners, improve mineral recovery and reduce environmental damage.

“As a Chamber we are working on a model for sustainable & responsible ASM mining that protects the lives of Ghanaian miners, ensure better recoveries & ensures that the environmental cost of mining is minimised.”

He also questioned public acceptance of the human and environmental costs associated with illegal mining, highlighting inequalities in access to clean water.

“Are you happy with the irresponsibility that we are seeing? Are you happy with NAIMOS team members being attacked. Are you happy with these miners dying in pits.”

“Yes I know you are rich and can afford to buy Voss to bath and clean your house. Some us struggle to buy ‘pure water’ to cook and drink. We rely on Ghana Water. Allow us to protect our today and our future,” he said in response to a reply by a Facebook user.

Meanwhile, conflicting accounts have emerged over the circumstances that led to the shooting.

NAIMOS said its personnel encountered an armed group attempting to obstruct the movement of seized excavators and fired warning shots. The agency said two of its personnel sustained gunshot wounds during the confrontation.

However, residents and traditional leaders of Manso Keniago have disputed the account, insisting the excavator was not seized from the community but was being transported through it.

They also alleged that their chief was assaulted and that gunshots were fired at his vehicle.

Calls have since intensified for an independent investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine responsibility for the violence.