Regional News of Thursday, 18 September 2025

Source: Daniel Kaku, Contributor

Asanko Gold Conflict: Lands minister commiserates with family of deceased

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah visited the family on Tuesday, September 16 Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah visited the family on Tuesday, September 16

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has visited the family of a local Assembly Member who was tragically killed during a clash between military personnel and community youth in the Amansie South District.

The minister's visit on Tuesday, 16th September 2025, is part of the government's effort to de-escalate tensions following the incident on September 9th, which occurred on the concession of Asanko Gold Ghana Limited.

Addressing a gathering of grieving family members and sympathisers, Armah-Kofi Buah expressed his profound dismay over the death, describing the deceased as a dedicated community leader.

“I am deeply sorry for your loss and I share in your pain,” he said. “I want to assure you that the government will ensure proper and thorough investigations into the events that led to this tragedy and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book. The President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, also conveys his profound condolences,” he commiserated in the local Akan dialect.

The confrontation reportedly erupted after local youth, frustrated by what they describe as the company's lack of community development, encroached onto the mining concession.

In response to the unrest, the company invited military personnel to restore order, an intervention that unfortunately led to the fatal clash.

Following his meeting with the family, the minister engaged with the leadership of Asanko Gold.

He urged the company to operate strictly within the confines of mining laws and to prioritise community development initiatives as a core part of its operations.

He further emphasised the government's commitment to healing the rift between the company and the community and facilitating a peaceful and lasting resolution.

The minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Technical Advisor to the minister, Ag Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Director of Communications for the ministry, Chief Inspector of Mines, and the National Coordinator of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP).