Obuasi Mining Clash: Illegal miners could arm themselves, Kwaku Afari warns

Kwaku Afari, the technical director of the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM), has raised alarm over the violent confrontations between illegal miners and security personnel guarding mining concessions. 

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show (ABS) on Monday (20 January), Afari warned that such incidents could push trespassers to arm themselves for protection, potentially fuelling a dangerous cycle of violence.

Afari’s comments come following the violent clashes between illegal miners and military personnel stationed at AngloGold Ashanti Mines in Obuasi on Saturday (18 January).

The incident has led to the deaths of seven illegal miners, according to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

“It has become a systemic trend for the past almost two decades,” Afari said, pointing to numerous cases where illegal miners, or those accused of trespassing, have been attacked by guard dogs or subjected to physical violence by private and state security forces. 

He referenced a report by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), which documents these extrajudicial actions in alarming detail.

“It is not just a trend which is starting, but it has been with us for the past 30 years,” Afari said. 

“If we do not take measures to address this problem, the next thing is we may find illegal miners or people who [are] alleged to be trespassing onto these concessions, also really arming themselves to in one way or another protect themselves in case they are confronted by such agencies.”

While condemning illegal mining and trespassing, Afari urged state authorities to adopt more measured responses. 

“We are not condoning any form of alleged illegal activity or trespass,” he clarified. 

“However, we do believe that it should be met with some level of proportionate response from the state security, especially where it has been stated that people were not armed.”

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