Justice Demanded for Ahafo Mining Deaths, Injuries

Civil society organizations and human rights advocates are calling for urgent government intervention following a tragic incident at Newmont’s Ahafo South mines, where police officers reportedly shot and killed three individuals and injured several others on January 8, 2025. The victims, believed to be residents of Acherensua in the Ahafo Region, were allegedly engaged in illegal mining activities on Newmont’s concession.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage among the youth, traditional authorities, and neighboring communities, who have condemned the security agencies' actions as excessively disproportionate. They argue that the alleged trespassing did not warrant such a deadly response.

In a joint statement issued by prominent organizations, including Wacam, the Centre for Public Interest Law, the Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis, and the Global Media Foundation, the groups expressed deep concern over the systemic insecurity and human rights violations in mining communities. They linked the recent incident to long-standing tensions between Newmont and local communities, which remain unresolved.

A Pattern of Human Rights Abuses

The statement cited findings from a 2008 report by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), which documented widespread harassment and inhumane treatment of alleged illegal miners and community members by state and private security personnel employed by mining companies. The report highlighted that many mining companies, including Newmont, have established security posts manned by police and military personnel on their concessions.

The advocates stressed that these security arrangements often lead to gross human rights violations, including torture and degrading treatment, in clear violation of Article 15 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. They emphasized that the rights to life and fair trial must be upheld, even for individuals accused of illegal mining.

Demands for Government Action

The advocacy groups called on the government to take immediate steps to address the situation, including:

1. Independent Investigations: Launching an independent inquiry into the recent killings and broader insecurity in mining communities, particularly those affected by Newmont’s operations.

2. Police Accountability: Directing the Inspector General of Police to investigate the conduct of officers involved in the Ahafo South incident.

3. Revised Security Protocols: Reviewing security measures in mining areas to ensure they respect the rights of affected communities.

4. Corporate Responsibility: Mandating mining companies to report on measures they take to protect the rights of individuals in host communities.

The statement underscored the need for mining companies and law enforcement agencies to operate within the law while respecting human rights. It also called for the government to hold mining companies accountable for their role in fostering insecurity and human rights violations in mining communities.

A Call for Justice

Kwaku Afari, Technical Director of Wacam, emphasized the urgency of addressing these systemic issues: “The needless deaths and injuries to poor and vulnerable people in mining communities must end. It is time for the government to act decisively to protect its citizens.”

The incident at Newmont’s Ahafo South mines has reignited debates about the balance between protecting corporate interests and safeguarding the rights of local communities. Advocates warn that without immediate action, tensions in mining areas could escalate further, threatening social stability and undermining Ghana’s commitment to human rights.