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Challenging Heights, a prominent civil society organization, has extended support to the families of those who tragically lost their lives in the recent violent clash between youth in Obuasi and AngloGold Ashanti.
Mr Emmanuel Annobil,
urgently called for the government to establish a commission of inquiry to thoroughly investigate the causes of the deadly clash. According to Mr. Annobil, the commission’s findings and recommendations would be essential in addressing the underlying issues and preventing similar conflicts from arising in mining communities across the country.
“The government must take immediate action to investigate these conflicts. A commission of inquiry will help uncover the underlying causes and provide concrete solutions that will prevent future outbreaks of violence in mining areas, he stressed.
Speaking to media in an interview, Mr Emmanuel Annobil, the spokesperson for Challenging Heights, pointed to the deep-rooted issues of poverty and high unemployment rates in Obuasi as the primary drivers behind the conflict. He explained that many young people in the Obuasi lacking alternative sources of livelihood, are being forced into illegal mining activities on AngloGold’s concessions, leading to deadly confrontations and untimely deaths.
“Poverty and the high rate of unemployment are fueling these unlawful activities. The youth in Obuasi have no other means to survive, which is why they resort to illegal mining on AngloGold’s concessions, often leading to tragic and avoidable outcomes,”
Mr. Annobil also urged traditional leaders and AngloGold Ashanti to
granting small-scale mining concessions to the youth of Obuasi.
“Providing the youth with legal access to concessions will allow them to earn a living and support their families. This is a practical way to minimize the frequent clashes between mining companies and the local population,” he explained.
By Simon opoku Afriyie
