The chief and elders of Adelekezo in Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region, are calling on government of Ghana to stop prosecuting minors of the community and leave Chinese nationals to walk freely.

On Saturday, December 13, 2025, some residents of Adelekezo clashed with some private security of a Chinese mining company called JAS mining and as a result a 13-year-old lost her life through bullets.

In a press statement issued by the Chief and Elders of Adelekezo stated that; "This statement is issued following court proceedings held on 18 December 2025, which arose from events connected to illegal mining activities at Adelekezo and the fatal shooting of the minor.

"During the court proceedings, regulatory records were presented by counsel for foreign nationals described as workers of JAS Mining Limited. These records indicated that the mining lease relied upon in their defence was applied for in August 2025 and was only reported to have been executed or signed in November 2025."

The statement emphasised; "Notwithstanding this, matters disclosed in court make it clear that at the material time of the incident, mining operations conducted at Adelekezo under the name JAS Mining Limited were not supported by a valid and subsisting mineral right covering the area, as required under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703)".

They expressed worried; "While we recognise that these matters are now properly before the court and must be allowed to proceed independently, the community is gravely concerned by the continued prosecution of six indigenous youth, (some of whom are minors), whose arrests arose directly from circumstances created by unlawful mining operations and institutional failure".

They demanded that; The withdrawal of all charges against the minors and the application of lawful, child centred remedies".

Read the full press statement below:

On Saturday, 13 December 2025, the Adelekezo community suffered a profound and irreversible tragedy with the death of Pious Nkansah, also known as Nkrumah, a thirteen-year-old child.

His death occurred in circumstances arising from prolonged and unlawful mining activities that had disrupted access to community farmlands, water sources, and essential livelihoods.

This statement is issued following court proceedings held on 18 December 2025, which arose from events connected to illegal mining activities at Adelekezo and the fatal shooting of the minor.

During the court proceedings, regulatory records were presented by counsel for foreign nationals described as workers of JAS Mining Limited.

These records indicated that the mining lease relied upon in their defence was applied for in August 2025 and was only reported to have been executed or signed in November 2025.

Notwithstanding this, matters disclosed in court make it clear that at the material time of the incident, mining operations conducted at Adelekezo under the name JAS Mining Limited were not supported by a valid and subsisting mineral right covering the area, as required under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).

Despite the absence of lawful authority, heavy mining machinery, organised extraction activities, and armed private security personnel operated openly within the Adelekezo community for several months prior to the fatal incident.

Established access routes customarily used by residents to reach farmlands and water sources were repeatedly blocked, depriving families of their means of subsistence, livelihood and creating sustained hardship and tension.

On the day of the incident, community youth peacefully questioned the continued obstruction of access to their farms and water sources. They were unarmed and posed no threat to life or property. During the ensuing events, live ammunition was discharged by private security personnel.

One of the bullets struck Pious Nkansah, resulting in his death.

During the same court proceedings, nine individuals, comprising eight foreign nationals of Chinese origin and one Ghanaian private security officer, were arraigned in connection with illegal mining activities.

While we recognise that these matters are now properly before the court and must be allowed to proceed independently, the community is gravely concerned by the continued prosecution of six indigenous youth, (some of whom are minors), whose arrests arose directly from circumstances created by unlawful mining operations and institutional failure.

The selective pursuit of criminal charges against children, while serious questions relating to illegal mining and the use of lethal force remain unresolved, raises legitimate concerns regarding fairness, proportionality, and the best interests of the child, as protected under the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and the Children’s Act.

Since the incident, persistent police pursuit within the community has generated widespread fear and panic, compelling many residents to flee their homes.

Adelekezo has effectively been emptied of its inhabitants, denying families the basic human and cultural dignity of mourning and burying their child in peace.

We therefore state, with restraint and respect for the rule of law, that these actions must cease immediately. Law enforcement must be guided by legality, proportionality, and respect for human dignity. Collective intimidation cannot restore order, nor can it substitute for justice.

Accordingly, the Adelekezo Community and the parents of Pious Nkansah respectfully call for:

1. The immediate cessation of harassment and indiscriminate police actions within the community.

2. The withdrawal of all charges against the minors and the application of lawful, child centred remedies.

3. An independent and impartial investigation into the killing of Pious Nkansah and the use of live ammunition by private security personnel.

4. The continued suspension of all mining activities at Adelekezo pending full legal verification and accountability.

5. The restoration of peace and security to enable the community members who have fled the town to return home safely and bury our thirteen year old son with dignity.

This statement is not a call for violence or retaliation, nor is it an attack on any nationality or group. It is a solemn appeal for justice, humanity, and the faithful application of the rule of law.

A genuine fight against illegal mining must protect human life before machinery, children before profit, and citizens before impunity.

Justice for Pious Nkansah is justice for Adelekezo.

SIGNED:

THE CHIEF, ELDERS, AND PEOPLE OF ADELEKEZO COMMUNITY AND THE PARENTS AND FAMILY OF PIOUS NKANSAH (ALSO KNOWN AS NKRUMAH)

Tell: 0241924150/0553091205/0243742138