A police officer has lost his life in the line of duty while protecting the operational concession of Asanko Gold Ghana Limited in Manso Nkran, located in the Amensie District of the Ashanti region.
The officer was assigned to the large-scale gold mining firm to safeguard it from illegal miners, who had invaded the site and were threatening the safety of the mine.
According to the management of the mining company, the unfortunate incident occurred on April 4, 2023, when the officer was pursuing an illegal miner and accidentally fell into a 2.5-meter-deep pond that the miners had dug during their operation.
The Managing Director of Asanko Gold Ghana Limited, Dr. Charles Amoah, clarified that the officer did not die in an abandoned pit filled with stagnant water, as earlier reported by the media. “The deceased officer died in a pit dug by illegal miners who invaded the Asanko Gold Ghana Ltd concession and left many uncovered pits,” he said.
Dr. Amoah explained that a team of police officers was on lawful duty to stop a group of illegal miners from digging underneath a section of the haul road, just after a contractor’s laydown area.
He further disclosed that the company had initiated an action plan following the incident. These measures include activating its emergency response system, informing the relevant regulatory bodies, halting all patrol duties, and evacuating the casualty to a morgue at the Agroyesum Hospital in Manso Adubia.
The CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr. Sulemanu Koney, expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and the Ghana Police Service. He also reiterated the need for urgent action to be taken on the growing concern about the activities of illegal miners in the country. Their activities pose a serious risk to mining companies, community members, and the country at large.
Asanko Gold Ghana Limited reaffirmed its commitment to promoting environmentally and socially responsible mining in Ghana. The company has always worked in accordance with the Minerals Commission’s regulations, the Ghana Chamber of Mines, and the District Police Command to ensure the safety of all persons on its concessions.