Tension escalates at Gwira Ampansie after chief's brother allegedly shot by suspected galamsey guards

Mensah Ango was allegedly shot by suspected armed men linked to illegal mining activities in the area, leading to escalating tension at Gwira Ampansie in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region. The armed men were allegedly brought into the community to provide security for an illegal mining site being operated by a company identified as PRP. The deceased, identified as 46-year-old Mensah Ango, was reportedly sent by the chief together with some linguists to invite leaders of the mining company to the palace over concerns surrounding the alleged illegal activities on the community's land.

The incident has sparked anger among the youth in the community, with some threatening to set ablaze mining equipment and properties belonging to the illegal miners in retaliation. The Chief of Gwira Ampansie, Nana Kojo Mensah, expressed deep concern over the worsening insecurity in the area and accused state authorities, particularly the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), of failing to act despite several complaints lodged against the mining company and the conduct of the armed men. Nana Kojo Mensah is calling on the government, particularly President John Dramani Mahama and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), to intervene urgently and remove the illegal mining company from the community.

The Municipal Chief Executive for the Nzema East Municipal Assembly, Herbert Kuah Dickson, confirmed that he had been informed about the development and had directed the police to take immediate action. According to the MCE, six persons have so far been arrested in connection with the incident, including three foreign nationals. Mr. Kuah Dickson assured residents that the Assembly, together with the security agencies, would take the necessary steps to maintain peace, law and order in the community.