A long-standing conflict between Tontokrom community members and Asanko Gold Mine Limited has prompted government intervention.
The dispute, which has frequently turned violent, resulted in three fatalities in March when a clash occurred between residents and private security personnel.
The conflict centres around illegal mining activities, trespassing, and access to concessions.
A recent altercation between security personnel and residents led to the death of a resident, followed by the lynching of two security officers and injury to others.
The community has demanded the establishment of a community mining scheme, leading to a protest.
Asanko Gold Mine Limited’s Managing Director, Dr Charles Amoah, reports that employees face threats from community members, hindering access to a major concession in Manso Tontokrom.
This, according to Dr Amoah has affected operations, delayed production and increased costs.
He said, “It has affected our operation because it’s part of our plan to mine this amount of gold, and we are not being able to enter on time is affecting our production and to enhance those resources in a very responsible manner. Continue delay also bring a lot of cost to the company.”
District Chief Executive Clement Opoku Gyamfi and Member of Parliament Yaw Frimpong Addo have called for calm and urged measures to maintain peaceful coexistence.
Mr Gyamfi emphasised the need for a “win-win approach” to address the repeated disturbances.
He said, “It should be a win-win approach, push each other to the centre, let that point that we can all agree and see how best we can move because it’s been a couple of years with back and forth and I’m sure the bigger loser is the company because the community folks are there, but you have invested and you need to recoup whatever you have invested. So, let’s not be intransigent, let’s be flexible in a way so that it’ll be a win-win approach.”
Deputy Lands and Natural Resources Minister George Mireku has held separate engagements with the community and the mining firm to discuss solutions.
The Lands and Natural Resources Ministry assures that measures will be taken to address the concerns of both parties, aiming to resolve the conflict and promote peaceful coexistence.
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