Miner Jailed 8 Years for Violent Mining Site Attack
The Bekwai Circuit Court has sentenced a 34-year-old miner, Afrifa Adu Kofi, to eight years’ imprisonment with hard labour after he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of causing harm and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The court, presided over by Judge Isaac Apietu, convicted the accused on three counts of causing harm, contrary to Section 69 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and one count of possession and control of arms without licence, contrary to Sections 11(a) and 26(1)(a) of NRCD 9/1972.
He was sentenced to 96 months’ imprisonment on each of the three counts of causing harm and 36 months on the firearms offence. The sentences are to run concurrently.
According to Prosecutor ASP Lloyd Baidoo, the incident occurred on May 31, 2026, at about 11:30 a.m. at a mining site in Adansi Odumasi near Obuasi.
The complainants, Francis Antwi and James Akomeah, a farmer and miner respectively, were working at the site with four workers—Mohammed Abdulai, Stephen Otoo, Hamidu Seidu and Nasaratu Fuseini—when the accused and a group of young men allegedly stormed the area.
The attackers reportedly assaulted the workers with cutlasses and sticks, while a pump-action gun was also used during the attack.
All four victims sustained injuries and were rushed to the AngloGold Ashanti Hospital for treatment. Hamidu Seidu, who suffered severe injuries, was later referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and remains on admission.
Investigations revealed that Afrifa Adu Kofi admitted attacking the victims with a cutlass and shooting Mohammed Abdulai with a pump-action gun.
Police further established that the accused could not provide any licence or legal documentation for the firearm found in his possession.
The court convicted him on charges relating to Mohammed Abdulai, Hamidu Seidu and Nasaratu Fuseini but acquitted him on the count involving Stephen Otoo.
Meanwhile, police have launched a manhunt for the other suspects who remain at large as investigations continue.
