The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP), has moved to defuse escalating tensions between Asanko Gold Ghana Limited and surrounding communities, assuring stakeholders that the government is committed to resolving the dispute with urgency and fairness.
The Minister’s assurance followed a working visit to the company’s concession after a violent confrontation earlier this month left one person dead and caused the destruction of property estimated at over US$33 million.
“This is a tragedy that we cannot ignore. A life has been lost, valuable assets have been destroyed, and trust between the company and the community has been fractured.
“It is our duty to get to the bottom of this matter and ensure such an incident is never repeated.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP), Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
The impasse reached crisis levels on September 9, when clashes broke out between community members and military personnel deployed to secure the company’s concession.
Local residents, angered over what they described as unmet development promises, encroached onto the mine’s operational areas.
The confrontation spiraled into violence, resulting in the death of a local resident, who also served as the Assembly Member for the area. Company installations and heavy-duty equipment were set ablaze during the unrest, with losses running into tens of millions of dollars.
Call for Peace and Dialogue
Addressing the management of Asanko Gold, Hon. Buah stressed that mining companies must operate with a firm commitment to community engagement and development.
He underscored that coexistence between corporate entities and host communities is critical to the sustainability of Ghana’s mining sector.
“As a government, we are committed to dialogue, to understanding the grievances of the people, and to ensuring that companies also meet their obligations.
“Peaceful coexistence is non-negotiable. Mining must benefit both the investor and the host communities.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP), Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
The Minister urged Asanko Gold to strictly comply with regulatory frameworks and adopt a proactive approach to addressing community concerns.
He emphasized that development expectations in mining areas must not be left unmet, as they risk creating resentment and unrest.
As part of his visit, Hon. Buah paid a solemn call on the family of the deceased Assembly Member.
Joined by officials from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Minerals Commission, and the Community Mining Secretariat (rComsdep), the Minister expressed government’s condolences and assured the family of a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.
“This tragedy must serve as a turning point for building a stronger relationship between the community, the company, and the state. The government will ensure that justice is delivered, and that healing begins.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP), Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
A Fragile Relationship
The Asanko Gold concession, one of Ghana’s significant gold mining projects, has long been a source of tension between the company and surrounding communities.
Residents have consistently raised concerns over inadequate social investments and unmet promises of jobs and infrastructure.
While the company has maintained that it has fulfilled its corporate social responsibility obligations, including investments in education and local development projects, community leaders argue that the scale of mining operations demands greater and more tangible benefits.
Minister Buah assured all parties that the government would not only seek accountability for the events of September 9 but also address the root causes of the unrest.
The Minister hinted at the possibility of convening a multi-stakeholder dialogue involving company officials, traditional leaders, civil society groups, and security agencies to map out a comprehensive resolution framework.
The government’s handling of this case will be a litmus test of its commitment to protecting both investor confidence and community rights. For now, the priority remains restoring calm and rebuilding trust.
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