One Dead, Chief and Six Others Injured in Suspected Galamsey Attack at Asawinso “A”
A violent shooting incident linked to illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, has left one person dead and seven others injured, including a traditional chief, at Sefwi Asawinso “A” in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region.
The deceased has been identified as 36-year-old Kwame Ayisi, who was reportedly part of a delegation led by the chief of Sefwi Asawinso “A”, Nana Kwasi Ayim II, to inspect alleged illegal mining activities within the Afao Hill Forest Reserve.
According to eyewitnesses, the chief, together with some youth from the community, visited the forest enclave following growing concerns over the destruction of farmlands and forest reserves by illegal miners operating in the area. Residents say the illegal activities have intensified in recent months, raising fears over environmental degradation and insecurity in the community.
An eyewitness, Kwame Awudu, indicated that the chief initially engaged the suspected miners in what he described as a peaceful discussion, appealing to them to halt their operations in the protected forest area. However, the situation reportedly turned violent when the delegation was ambushed on their way back from the site by heavily built armed men believed to be associated with the illegal miners.
The attackers allegedly opened fire on the group, causing panic and leaving several people with gunshot wounds. Victims were rushed to the Anhwiaso Community Hospital, where the injured, including the chief, are currently receiving treatment.
The Assembly Member for the Asawinso “A” Electoral Area, Frank Nelson Ackah, confirmed the incident and described the attack as disturbing and unfortunate. He stated that the chief and the youth had only gone to assess the level of destruction caused by illegal mining activities in the forest reserve when they came under attack.
The incident has heightened tension and fear within the Asawinso community, with residents calling on the government and security agencies to intensify the fight against galamsey activities in the area. Community members are also demanding swift investigations and the arrest of the perpetrators behind the shooting.
Illegal mining continues to pose a major challenge in many parts of Ghana, particularly in forest reserves and near water bodies. The practice has been blamed for widespread environmental destruction, pollution of rivers, destruction of cocoa farms, and increasing violent confrontations between illegal miners and local communities. In recent years, successive governments have launched several operations aimed at clamping down on galamsey, including military and joint security taskforce interventions.
Asawinso, located in the Western North Region, is one of the communities within Ghana’s major cocoa and mining belt, where concerns over illegal mining activities have continued to grow.
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