Seven individuals who were among the victims of the fatal shooting incident at the AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, have been laid to rest.
The victims, who were members of the Islamic faith were buried at the Obuasi Muslim cemetery, after a solemn Islamic burial prayers was held for them.
Scores of mourners, family members, friends and other sympathizers joined the burial ceremony, which was led by Imams from the Obuasi Central mosque in a somber atmosphere, to bid final farewell to the departed. Tension in the Obuasi community remained high after the fatal incident, which was sparked by the alleged unauthorized entry of some small scale miners into the concession of AngloGold. One of the four victims, who sustained injuries and was hospitalized at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, remains in critical condition due to a gunshot wound in a vital area of his body. The rest are responding to treatment.
President John Dramani Mahama has initiated an investigation into the shooting incident to help uphold accountability and bring justice to the victims. Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister-Designate, led a delegation of the National Democratic Congress to engage with the bereaved families, local youth, and management of AngloGold to help mitigate tensions and promote peace in the area.
Speaking to the youth after the burial service, Dr. Amoakohene underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to resolving the crisis. He reassured the community of the President’s dedication to seeing the matter through to a just resolution, urging everyone to maintain composure and refrain from acts of vandalism, which could prompt confrontation with the security agencies. He said adequate security measures had been instituted in Obuasi to prevent further disruptions.
The incident adds to a series of altercations between illegal miners and AngloGold Ashanti, stemming from persistent attempts by local youth to mine for gold on the company’s property. The longstanding unrest underscores the necessity for a sustainable solution. The ongoing dialogue and discussions among key stakeholders should be able to address the underlying issues and implementation of enduring strategies to avert future occurrence.
Source: GNA
