Chief of Manso Akwasiso Leads Protest Over Alleged Killing of 20-Year-Old by Soldiers
The Chief of Manso Akwasiso, Nana Kwakye Gyima Yeboah II, led angry residents in a protest on Wednesday against the alleged killing of a 20-year-old boy by military personnel during an anti-galamsey operation.
The deceased, Evans Allotey, a second-year student of Okomfo Anokye Senior High School, reportedly fell into an abandoned galamsey pit while fleeing from soldiers. Residents accuse the military of chasing him into the pit and preventing others from rescuing him at gunpoint, leading to his tragic death.
Speaking to the media, Nana Kwakye Gyima Yeboah II strongly condemned illegal mining but described the soldiers’ actions as unacceptable.
“I am against galamsey, but it is unacceptable for soldiers to chase a young man into a galamsey pit and prevent others at gunpoint from rescuing him, resulting in his death,” the Chief stated.
“After this protest, I will petition the Interior Ministry and other relevant state institutions to launch a full investigation. We are demanding justice,” he added.
The protest saw residents marching through the community, demanding accountability, a transparent probe into the incident, and justice for the deceased student.
The death has sparked widespread outrage in the area, with many questioning the conduct and rules of engagement of military personnel involved in anti-illegal mining operations.
No official statement has been issued by the Ghana Armed Forces or the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) at the time of this report. The Ashanti Regional Police Command is yet to confirm whether a formal investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding Evans Allotey’s death.
The incident has reignited debate over the methods used in galamsey crackdowns, particularly in communities where illegal mining provides livelihoods, and the need for clear protocols to protect lives during enforcement operations.
