Some inhabitants at Manso Nkran, in the Amansie West District of Ashanti Region, have fled the town after soldiers stormed the town to arrest suspects of a protest that led to the death of one person
Yaw Badu, 30, was allegedly killed by a stray bullet fired by a soldier during a protest over resettlement arrangement for affected inhabitants of the town by Asanko Gold Mines Company (Asanko Mines) yesterday.
This came barely a week after soldiers stormed the Millennium City in Accra, over a land dispute allegedly resulting in the death of one person.
The mining company was to hand over keys to the buildings to some of the affected inhabitants when they were met with protests by the inhabitants who have rejected the buildings because the new community is in a swampy area.
Led by Patrick Manu and one Addai, an elder of the Christ Apostolic Church, the protesters set out on a march within the town.
But the two leaders were soon arrested by military men allegedly called in by the chief of the area and the mining company.
An eyewitness who disclosed this to The Ghanaian Times, said after the soldiers had left the town, the protesters mounted a road block to prevent them from re-entering.
“They arrested our leaders and took them to the Manso Nkwanta police station. Patrick’s father, Mr. Kwame Dapaa, went there but they refused to release them to him. That infuriated us even more. Shortly afterwards we saw the soldiers coming back. We refused them entry and they started firing warning shots. Unfortunately a stray bullet hit the man and killed him instantly,” the eyewitness who pleaded anonymity said.
“It did not stop there. They (the soldiers) chased us everywhere to arrest us. As I speak with you I have fled the town and sought refuge inside the forest. And so have all the others and even those who were not part of the protest,” the eyewitness added.
Nonetheless, the mining company’s resettlement event went on as planned and the Chairman of Asanko Mines Board, Dr. Benjamin Adoo, told the gathering that his outfit had done no wrong in the resettlement arrangement for the affected residents.
The police would not comment when contacted on phone by The Ghanaian Times.
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