PRESS RELEASE – MONDAY 28TH JULY,2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RE: CLARIFICATION OF COMMUNITY CONCERNS: MILITARY PRESENCE AT TONTOKROM
The management of Asanko Gold Ghana Ltd. (“Asanko Gold” or the “Company”) has taken note of statements made during a recent press conference held in the Tontokrom community on Saturday, 26th July 2025, by some community members. At the press conference, allegations were made suggesting that Asanko Gold Ghana Ltd. had brought in military personnel to harass and intimidate residents.
The Company wishes to categorically refute these claims and provide factual clarification on the matter. The information below is presented in the spirit of fostering ongoing collaboration, transparency, and mutual respect. We trust it will contribute to a balanced and informed understanding of the situation.
The recent presence of military personnel in and around our concession is part of a state-mandated security initiative coordinated through the Ghana Chamber of Mines. This national programme is designed to provide lawful protection to licensed mining companies across the country from the increasing threat posed by illegal mining (galamsey) operations.
Illegal mining not only endangers lives and degrades the environment, but also significantly impacts state revenue, discourages legitimate investment, and creates unsafe conditions for both community members and Company personnel. In response to these risks, the government through the appropriate security agencies and in partnership with the Ghana Chamber of Mines has rolled out a standardized security intervention across all major legal mining operations in the country.
In Asanko Gold’s specific case, the deployment was sanctioned by the Ghana Armed Forces with coordination and support from the Chamber of Mines. It is essential to emphasize that this intervention is not punitive in nature, nor is it intended to intimidate or harass any individuals. On the contrary, its primary goal is to ensure safety, legal compliance, and a conducive environment for sustainable mining.
Prior to the deployment, comprehensive stakeholder engagement sessions chaired by the District Security Councils (DISEC) of both the Amansie West and Amansie South Districts were held. During these sessions, the initiative was framed as a collaborative effort to stabilize mining activities and encourage responsible behavior. Stakeholders, including community leaders and local authorities, were encouraged to support the process and assist in promoting peaceful self-evacuation from unauthorized mining sites.
We are pleased to report that many illegal miners have voluntarily cooperated in other areas where similar exercises have taken place, and we are hopeful that the same level of understanding and collaboration will be realized within the Tontokrom concession area.
Asanko Gold remains deeply committed to nurturing mutually respectful and beneficial relationships with all our host communities, including Tontokrom. As reiterated during the DISEC meetings, the Company’s development approach strongly emphasizes community involvement and shared progress. We believe that open communication and genuine partnership are key to achieving lasting development outcomes.
We therefore respectfully urge the general public and all stakeholders to disregard the inaccurate claims made during the press conference. These assertions misrepresent the reality on the ground and risk undermining the collaborative efforts and goodwill built over time between Asanko Gold and its host communities.
Asanko Gold will continue to engage proactively with traditional authorities, youth groups, civil society organizations, and local leadership to promote responsible mining and enhance community wellbeing. Our doors remain open for dialogue, and we welcome any stakeholders seeking further clarification to do so through the appropriate and established channels.
Signed.
Charles Amoah
EVP & Managing Director
Contact: Email: charles.amoah@asanko.com
