A youth miners group in Obuasi and its environs has vowed to take over a concession that was initially intended for community mining.
The concession, located at Aketekyieso, in the Amansie Central district was part of the 70% of land relinquished by AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) to the government and released to the youth for community mining in 2016.
However, allegations have surfaced that Akwasi Macho, a local leader, colluded with some officials including former MCE for Obuasi West Municipal, Elijah Adansi Bonah, former DCE for Amansie Central, Michael Donkor, Operation Galamstop and some other thugs to take control of the mine in 2019.
Macho allegedly drove out members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party and allowed only members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to work on the site.
Recently, the old group of miners, purportedly NDC members, revisited the site, claiming that since their party is now in power, Akwasi Macho should distance himself from the site.
The group stated that anyone, regardless of party affiliation, can work on the site, except Akwasi Macho.
The situation has been marked by controversy and violence, with reports of some parts of the concession being released to Chinese miners, infuriating local youth.
The group in an interview with the media during a press conference noted that the actions of the local leadership have also led to small-scale miners invading AGA’s concession, resulting in the shooting of nine people earlier this year.
The miners have pleaded with the government to invest in their work, as promised during the campaign to strengthen small-scale mining.
They believe this would also prevent further invasions of AGA’s concession.
The situation remains tense, with national security operatives recently storming the site due to the ongoing dispute between the two factions.
