An Assemblyman for Asawinso, Frank Nelson Acquah, has given an account of how a peace mission by a local chief to stop illegal mining activities ended in violence, resulting in one death and several injuries at Afao Hill in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality.
According to him, the chief of Sefwi Asawinso “A”, Nana Kwasi Ayim II, together with some residents, went to the site not to fight but to caution illegal miners believed to be operating in a forest reserve.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Acquah said the intervention followed reports that miners were operating in the forest under the guise of working on cocoa farms.
“When you ask them, they say they are working on a cocoa farm, but information suggests they normally go into the forest to mine,” he explained.
He stressed that the chief’s intention was peaceful.
“When the chief went there, he did not go to fight. He went there to bring peace and tell them to stop the illegal mining,” he said.
However, the situation escalated when the group attempted to leave the site.
“On our way back, some macho men guarding the site started firing and attacking us. About seven people, including the chief, were injured, and one person was shot,” he narrated.
The Assemblymember alleged that the attackers were linked to individuals operating at the site, one of whom has been identified as Obidi.
He further indicated that while one suspect has been arrested, others are currently on the run.
“We called the police and national security immediately after the incident. The suspect we know as Obidi has been arrested, but others are still at large,” he said.
Mr. Acquah added that security agencies, along with the MP and Municipal Chief Executive, are expected to visit the area to assess the situation and help restore calm.
The incident has heightened concerns over illegal mining activities in forest reserves and the rising tensions between communities and suspected galamsey operators.
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