VIDEOS: Assembly Member Killed in Amansie West Mining Clash
Tensions in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region have escalated following the shooting to death of an Assembly Member during a confrontation between local youth and armed military personnel.
The deceased, identified as Samuel Danquah, Assembly Member for Aboabo, was reportedly gunned down on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, after clashes erupted at a mining concession in Mpatuam. Two other residents also sustained serious gunshot wounds and remain in critical condition at a hospital.
According to accounts from the Assembly Member for Mpatuam, Hon. Kwame Sakyi, the violence stemmed from mounting anger among residents, who alleged that security operatives working with Asanko Mines were responsible for the killing of a local miner a day earlier.
In protest, the youth blocked major roads leading to the concession. The situation, however, spiraled out of control when security men attempted to disperse the protesters.
“The soldiers opened fire directly into the crowd, hitting Hon. Danquah, who later died at the hospital. Two other young men were also struck by bullets and are fighting for their lives,” Hon. Sakyi narrated.
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident sparked chaos, with agitated residents retaliating by setting ablaze vehicles belonging to Asanko Mines. The community has since been thrown into grief and anger, with many demanding immediate justice.
A Growing Rift Between Communities and Mining Firms
The clash has once again highlighted the volatile relationship between mining companies and host communities in the Ashanti Region. Communities often accuse companies of neglecting local concerns and deploying excessive force through state security and private operatives.
Observers say Tuesday’s bloody confrontation is a manifestation of years of unresolved grievances, ranging from alleged human rights abuses to lack of social accountability by mining firms.
Calls for Government Intervention
As news of the Assembly Member’s death spread, local leaders appealed to the youth to remain calm while pressing for a full-scale probe into the incident. Security forces have since reinforced their presence in Mpatuam and its environs to restore order and prevent reprisals.
Neither the Ashanti Regional Police Command nor Asanko Mines has officially commented on the matter. Meanwhile, residents insist they will continue to protest until justice is served for both the slain miner and their Assembly Member.
The killing of Hon. Danquah, widely regarded as a dedicated representative of his people, has left the Amansie West District in mourning, with many describing his death as a tragic loss for local governance and community advocacy.
