Ken Ashigbey: Demands NAIMOS Manso Keniago Probe After Clash

• Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, has called for an independent investigation into a clash between NAIMOS personnel and Manso Keniago residents.
• The November 11 incident occurred as NAIMOS transported seized excavators, leading to resistance from residents over the chosen route and subsequent warning shots fired by personnel.
• Ashigbey urged the probe to identify the excavator's owner, determine why residents resisted its movement, and reconstruct the sequence of events using physical evidence.
• He warned that the growing tendency for residents to threaten anti-illegal mining officials poses a serious risk to Ghana's efforts against illegal mining.
• Ashigbey emphasized that these officers are the "last line of defence" and attacks on them could lead to widespread resistance and "carnage."

He cautioned that any attacks directed at them could inadvertently encourage similar incidents across the country, thereby undermining the broader efforts to combat illegal mining.

On November 11, a significant confrontation unfolded in Manso Keniago, located in Ghana's Ashanti Region, involving personnel from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and local residents. The incident occurred as a NAIMOS task force was engaged in the transportation of excavators that had been seized during an anti-illegal mining operation. These machines were being moved to a designated location intended for their safekeeping.

The situation escalated when residents and traditional authorities in Manso Keniago voiced strong objections to the chosen route for transporting the equipment. Their disagreement centered on the decision to move the excavators through the community along a tarred road. This initial dispute reportedly led to an armed group actively resisting the movement of the machinery. In response to this resistance, NAIMOS personnel resorted to firing warning shots, which the Secretariat stated were aimed at dispersing the crowd and preventing any further escalation of the volatile situation.

Following the clash, Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, who serves as the Convenor for the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, publicly endorsed the demand for an independent investigation into the events at Manso Keniago. Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile on Saturday, November 14, Mr. Ashigbey underscored the critical need for such an inquiry to thoroughly establish the precise triggers of the confrontation. He emphasized that the investigation must also definitively identify the owner of the excavator at the core of the dispute and ascertain the reasons behind the residents' resistance to its relocation.

Mr. Ashigbey raised specific questions pertinent to the probe, suggesting that investigators should explore whether the excavator in question belonged to influential individuals within the community, and if their reluctance to see it moved was indeed the catalyst for the entire incident. He further questioned whether the NAIMOS team was in the process of attempting to load the excavator onto a low-bed trailer when the residents intervened. To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the sequence of events, he recommended that investigators meticulously examine physical evidence present at the scene, such as any marks left on the ground. This independent investigation into the Ken Ashigbey NAIMOS Manso Keniago probe is seen as crucial for uncovering the full facts.

While advocating for a thorough investigation into the Manso Keniago illegal mining clash Ghana, Ing. Ashigbey firmly stated his opposition to any loss of life during such confrontations, asserting that he does not associate himself with death or killing. However, he issued a stark warning regarding a concerning trend: the increasing propensity for residents to threaten officials and security personnel actively engaged in Ghana anti-galamsey operations enforcement.

Mr. Ashigbey characterized these officers as the nation's "very last line of defence" against the pervasive activities of illegal miners. He cautioned that any attacks directed at them could inadvertently encourage similar incidents across the country, thereby undermining the broader efforts to combat illegal mining. He further warned that if such confrontations are allowed to persist and escalate, it could embolden others to resist anti-illegal mining operations, potentially leading to widespread "carnage" and a proliferation of "copycat" incidents, severely jeopardizing the integrity of excavator seizure Manso Keniago investigation and future enforcement actions.

The independent investigation into the NAIMOS-Manso Keniago clash will scrutinize the conduct of anti-illegal mining operations and asset seizures in Ghana. Lawyers advising clients in the mining sector should closely monitor the probe's findings, as they could establish new precedents for enforcement protocols, community engagement, and potential liabilities arising from confrontations during anti-galamsey activities.

Source: Original reporting via Kareen Tei