Anglogold Ashanti: Miners Choose Death Over Arrest – General Secretary

The General Secretary of Small Scale Miners Association, Mr. Ebenezer Ekow Ayehu, has expressed concern over the presence of security personnel, stating that it is deterring illegal miners from exiting the AngloGold Ltd.’s Obuasi Mines. 

He claims that the miners are afraid of being arrested if they surface while security forces are present.

In an interview on Nkwantannanso on June 1, Mr. Ayehu appealed to the Regional Minister for assistance, highlighting the miners’ reluctance to come out of the underground mines due to the presence of security agencies.

He emphasised that these miners would rather risk their lives underground than face potential arrest upon resurfacing.

A reporter from Shaft FM, Yaw Obeng in an interview uncovered an alarming claim. According to the report, miners who mustered the courage to exit the mines were allegedly compelled to pay a bail fee of GHC6000.

In response, Mr. Ayehu stated that he was unaware of any such arrangement and expressed surprise at the reported bail requirement.

A contingent of armed military and police personnel was dispatched to restore order in response to the arrest of illegal miners who had emerged from the mine shaft.

The youth gathered at the Obuasi police station, demanding the release of their trapped colleagues who were subsequently apprehended.