The Ashanti Regional Branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the reported shooting and killing of civilians during an operation involving personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) at Manso Kaniago.
The party has called for an independent, transparent and prompt investigation into the incident to establish the circumstances surrounding the shootings and ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable under the law.
In a press statement signed by its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Augustus Andrews Nana Akwasi, the party expressed deep sorrow over the reported deaths and extended its condolences to the bereaved families.
The NDC, however, reaffirmed its support for the national campaign against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, describing the activity as a major threat to the environment, water bodies, farmlands and forest reserves.
It commended NAIMOS and other lawful institutions for their efforts to combat illegal mining and restore the country’s natural resources.
However, the party stressed that support for the anti-galamsey campaign should not be interpreted as approval of excessive or unlawful use of force by security personnel.
According to the statement, the mandate to combat illegal mining does not give NAIMOS personnel unrestricted authority to use firearms against civilians.
It maintained that the use of firearms must be guided by the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality, with the protection of human life remaining paramount.
The party also drew attention to the January 2025 shooting incident at the AngloGold Ashanti mine in Obuasi, involving military personnel deployed to protect the mine concession, in which several civilians suspected of illegal mining reportedly lost their lives, while others sustained injuries.
It described the Obuasi incident as a painful reminder of the human cost of enforcement operations in mining communities, warning that the reported recurrence of fatal shootings at Manso Kaniago should prompt a serious review of operational conduct and the use of firearms.
The NDC has further urged the relevant authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding both incidents and ensure that affected families are treated with dignity, kept informed and provided with the necessary support.
It also called on NAIMOS to review its operational procedures and strengthen human rights education and de-escalation training for its personnel to ensure that enforcement activities remain within clearly defined legal boundaries.
The party urged residents to cooperate with lawful efforts to tackle illegal mining but insisted that the rights and safety of all individuals must be respected.
Reiterating its commitment to environmental protection and the rule of law, the NDC Ashanti Region said the fight against illegal mining must be firm, lawful and humane.
It added that it would not support impunity or the needless loss of innocent lives in the name of law enforcement.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
