MPATUOM MINING CLASH

By Samuel Asamoah 

Tensions have escalated in Manso Mpatuom in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region after the Assembly Member for Aboabo, Samuel Danquah, was shot dead during a violent confrontation between irate residents and armed military personnel on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Two other residents also sustained gunshot wounds and are in critical condition.

According to eyewitnesses, the unrest was triggered by anger among residents who alleged that security operatives working with Asanko Mines were behind the killing of a local miner a day earlier. In protest, the youth blocked major roads leading to the mining concession.

The situation turned chaotic when security personnel attempted to disperse the protesters by firing live rounds into the crowd. Bullets struck the Assembly Member for Aboabo, Samuel Danquah, who was rushed to the hospital but later pronounced dead. Two other residents also sustained life-threatening injuries and are currently battling for survival.

News of the Assembly Member’s death sparked further outrage, as residents retaliated by setting ablaze several vehicles belonging to Asanko Mines. The violence has since left the Mpatuom community in grief and turmoil, with many residents demanding immediate justice.

Speaking to reporters, the Assembly Member for the Mpatuom Electoral Area, Kwame Sakyi, confirmed that the disturbances were fueled by the community’s frustration over recurring clashes with mining companies. He noted that residents felt increasingly marginalized and victimized by security operatives deployed to protect mining concessions.

The incident has reignited concerns about the fragile relationship between mining companies and host communities in the Ashanti Region, where allegations of neglect, environmental degradation, and the use of excessive force remain rife.

As of press time, neither the Ashanti Regional Police Command nor Asanko Mines had issued an official statement on the matter. Residents, however, insist they will continue their protests until justice is served for both the slain miner and Assembly Member Danquah.

The late Samuel Danquah is being mourned widely across the Amansie West District. He has been described by community members as a dedicated and outspoken representative who championed the concerns of his people. His death, many say, marks a tragic loss for local governance and community advocacy in the area.