By Three individuals lost their lives in the aftermath of a confrontation between Manso Tontokrom residents in the Ashanti region and the private security personnel of Asanko Gold Mines Limited.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday March 2, escalated when the security personnel reportedly fired gunshots, resulting in the death of a resident.
According to sources, the deceased was part of other residents who trespassed on the company’s mining site.
However, in retaliation, the residents assaulted the Asanko Mines security, resulting in the death of two security personnel through lynching. Another security officer was left severely injured by the enraged residents.
Providing additional information, a resident stated; “We saw two branded Asanko Mines vehicles and four non-branded ones occupied by machomen in the community. Some of the youth went closer to the vehicles to hoot at the occupants and before we realized the machomen had started firing gunshots. One person was hit by a stray bullet and died on the spot.
“We were left with no choice but to also attack them. The vehicles sped off but two machomen fell on the ground. They were lynched”.
The clash arises from longstanding tensions between Tontokrom residents and Asanko Gold Mines concerning security measures on the company’s concession. Over the years, local youth, grappling with high unemployment rates, have resorted to illegal mining activities encroaching on areas legally owned by Asanko.
The clash arises from longstanding tensions between Tontokrom residents and Asanko Gold Mines concerning security measures on the company’s concession. Over the years, local youth, grappling with high unemployment rates, have resorted to illegal mining activities encroaching on areas legally owned by Asanko.
The confrontation on Saturday, however, turned bloody between the residents and the private security personnel of Asanko Mines.
The bodies have since been conveyed by the police and deposited at the morgue.
