Assembly Members in the Amansie West District have appealed to the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Dr. Frank Amoakohene, to intervene for the immediate release of their colleague, Hon. Patrick Asare, Assembly Member for the Bonteso Electoral Area, who is currently on remand at the Bekwai Circuit Court.
Their demand was made during a high-level meeting between the Regional Minister, the Regional Security Council, traditional leaders, and residents over rising unrest linked to mining operations in the district. Hon. Asare’s detention followed a confrontation between residents and security personnel over mining activities, a situation that has triggered outrage among his fellow Assembly Members who say his arrest has deepened frustrations in the community.
The Assembly Members explained that their colleague was only advocating for the interests of his constituents when he became entangled in a confrontation that turned chaotic. They argued that keeping him in custody undermines local governance and further worsens relations between the community, security agencies, and the mining company. They therefore appealed to the Minister to use his good offices to ensure his release, warning that the continued detention could fuel further unrest in the district.
Responding to the concerns, Hon. Dr. Frank Amoakohene acknowledged the seriousness of the matter and assured the Assembly Members that their grievances would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for urgent consideration. He urged the people to remain calm while government works to address both the detention issue and the broader challenges related to mining in the district.
The Minister emphasized that government is committed to creating a fair and sustainable mining framework that ensures community safety while allowing responsible exploitation of mineral resources. He noted that the administration is determined to foster peaceful coexistence between mining companies, security agencies, and residents, stressing that violence and unrest will only derail development efforts in the Amansie West District.
The situation surrounding the detention of Hon. Patrick Asare has become symbolic of the larger tensions in Amansie West, where disputes over mining concessions, security operations, and community rights continue to test relations between the people and authorities. Residents and leaders alike now await government’s next move, hopeful that calm will be restored and the underlying issues addressed.
