Calm has been restored in Bonteso in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region following a violent clash between community youth and a police anti-galamsey task force that left several people injured.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, when the Special Anti-Galamsey Task Force, during a routine patrol, intercepted an excavator allegedly engaged in illegal mining. While the team was loading the machine onto a truck, tensions flared as a group of illegal miners — reportedly incited by the Assembly Member for the area, Patrick Asare — mobilised to resist the operation.
The confrontation resulted in four arrests, including the assembly member, and left two police officers injured.
However, District Chief Executive (DCE) Prince Manu Morris explained that the residents were engaged in sand-winning activities at a galamsey site. He said the task force mistook their presence for illegal mining, prompting the attempted seizure of the excavator and sparking the clash.
The DCE also clarified that no military or additional police personnel had been deployed to the area, contrary to some reports.
He confirmed that five injured individuals are receiving treatment at various health facilities, while the assembly member and three others remain in police custody.
In an interview with Citi News, the DCE said, “As we speak, calm has been restored, and everyone is going about their normal duties. What happened was that the youth attempted to prevent the police from taking away their machines and started pelting stones at the police, and the police fired shots to protect themselves, resulting in the clash.
“Five people sustained injuries; currently, they are all in admissions at various health centres. No security personnel sustained major injury.”
….
Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!
Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x
No spam, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital
