Tensions in Mpatuam in the Amansie West District continue to escalate as rival political parties, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP), are reported to have joined forces in a rare alliance against Asanko Gold Ghana.
According to credible sources within the community, leaders and operatives of the two parties in the area have merged their efforts and vowed to use local residents in a sustained campaign of demonstrations aimed at disrupting the operations of the mining company.
The development follows violent clashes between some youth of Mpatuam and security personnel linked to the mine, which recently resulted in the death of an assembly member and injuries to others.
The incident has heightened tensions in the area and sparked further agitation against Asanko Gold Ghana’s concession.
Community insiders revealed that the political actors are strategizing to forcefully take over the concession through continuous protests, allegedly with the backing of some traditional authorities. The coordinated plan, sources say, is designed to pressure the company into halting operations and ceding control of the mining site to local interests.
Attempts by the media to reach the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the area for comment on the situation were not successful.
Reacting to the developments, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey expressed grave concern about the implications for investor confidence in the country’s mining sector.
If politicians and community members resort to unlawful tactics to take over concessions, it sends the wrong signals to investors who have committed resources to Ghana. This is a dangerous precedent that undermines the rule of law,” he said.
The CEO cautioned that such actions could erode the benefits of government’s international efforts to promote Ghana as a safe and attractive mining destination. He pointed specifically to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources’ recent engagement at the Africa Downunder Forum in Australia, warning that such promotional exercises may prove futile if investors arrive only to face hostility from communities and political interference.
The situation in Mpatuam has raised fresh concerns about peace, security, and the stability of investments in the country, with stakeholders urging swift state intervention to prevent further violence.
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