Youth Vent Anger After Assembly Member’s Shooting in Mpatuam
The Amansie West District has been thrown into grief and anger following the death of Hon. Sampson Darkwa, Assembly Member for Mpatuam-Aboabo, who was allegedly shot and killed by military personnel linked to Asanko Mining Company.
Reports indicate that the late assembly member was not part of any confrontation but was rather attempting to calm tensions after residents staged a protest over the killing of a young man, Kwasi Bonsu, also believed to have been shot by the same military detachment. His intervention, however, turned tragic when he became the next victim.
The incident has ignited outrage among the youth, who accuse Asanko Mining Company and its security detail of repeatedly targeting locals without justification.
“This is becoming unbearable. Our people are being killed one after the other. If the government does not step in, we will have no choice but to defend ourselves,” an enraged youth told this paper.
They have called on President John Dramani Mahama to intervene immediately to restore peace and protect residents from what they describe as “unprovoked attacks” by security personnel guarding mining concessions.
Some residents warned that the situation, if left unresolved, could spiral out of control. “We will not sit idle while innocent blood is shed in this community. If this continues, Mpatuam will turn into a battlefield,” one youth leader cautioned.
The killing of Hon. Darkwa has deepened mistrust between residents and the mining company, with community members vowing to pursue justice until the perpetrators are held accountable.
