Five Shot as Military and Residents of Manso Nyankomase Clash Over Mining Site Reclamation Exercise

Tension has gripped Manso Nyankomase in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region following a violent clash between military personnel and residents that left five people with gunshot wounds during a mining site reclamation exercise on Monday, October 13, 2025.

The incident occurred when a team of armed soldiers stormed the community to clear miners and residents from a mining site designated for reclamation as part of the government’s ongoing campaign against illegal mining. What was expected to be a peaceful operation turned chaotic when some residents resisted attempts by the military to drive them away from the area.

According to eyewitnesses, the soldiers arrived early in the morning and ordered all persons working or living near the mining site to vacate immediately. However, some of the residents pleaded for time to gather their belongings and tools before leaving. Tensions escalated when the soldiers allegedly began chasing people from the area, firing gunshots to disperse the crowd.

“In the process, five people were hit by bullets,” an eyewitness recounted. “They were not armed or fighting. Some were only trying to run away, but the soldiers kept firing. The whole place was filled with panic and shouting.”

The victims, whose names were not immediately released, were rushed to nearby health facilities for medical attention. Their conditions were described as critical but stable.

Following the shooting, angry youth from Manso Nyankomase took to the streets to protest against what they described as military brutality. They blocked the main Manso–Datano road, burned tyres, and chanted war songs, demanding justice for the victims and immediate government intervention. The protest caused major disruptions to traffic flow and economic activities, leaving travelers and traders stranded for several hours.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, with thick smoke covering parts of the community and angry crowds expressing frustration over what they termed “unprovoked violence” by the military.

One resident, who gave his name as Yaw Mensah, told reporters that the soldiers’ actions were unjustifiable. “We are not against the government reclaiming the land, but we can’t understand why they should shoot at unarmed civilians. This is our community — we deserve to be treated with respect,” he said.

Another resident, Akua Mother, recounted how the soldiers chased people from the mining area before the shooting began. “They came shouting and driving everyone away. We didn’t attack them; we were only running for safety. Suddenly, we heard gunshots and saw people falling. It was very scary,” she lamented.

Several residents have also expressed confusion and concern over the identity of those behind the reclamation exercise, claiming that no official explanation or notice was given prior to the operation. According to them, they do not know whether the activity was sanctioned by government authorities or being led by political figures from the Manso Adubia Constituency.

“This is the only place we work to earn a living,” a resident lamented. “We don’t even know the people behind this reclamation exercise. Is it the Manso Adubia Constituency NDC executives or someone else? Nobody has come to explain anything to us. All we know is that soldiers came here and started driving people away and shooting.”

As the situation grew tense, police officers from Manso Adubia and members of the District Security Council (DISEC) were deployed to the community to restore calm and ensure the safety of residents. Security patrols have since been intensified in and around the area to prevent further violence.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie South, Hon. Benjamin Marfo, is yet to comment on the matter as of press time.

Meanwhile, some community members have called on the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Dr. Frank Amoakohene, and national authorities to launch a full-scale investigation into the incident and hold those responsible accountable. They insist that while the government’s efforts to reclaim mined-out lands are commendable, such exercises must be carried out with respect for human rights, transparency, and community safety.

The Manso Nyankomase incident adds to growing tensions in parts of the Amansie enclave, where conflicts between residents and security forces have been reported during similar mining reclamation operations. Residents continue to express fear and uncertainty as the military presence remains visible in the area.

For now, calm has been restored, but the community remains on edge as residents await official word on the fate of the five injured victims and possible investigations into the shooting.