The serene atmosphere of Manso Nyankomase, a mining community in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region, was shattered on Tuesday when irate youth poured onto the streets to protest what they described as military brutality and unlawful attacks on residents during a government-led mining land reclamation exercise.
The protest, which lasted for several hours, brought business and movement to a standstill as the youth blocked the main Manso–Datano road, burned vehicle tyres, and chanted war songs to express their anger and frustration over the alleged mistreatment of residents by soldiers. The incident, according to eyewitnesses, followed a violent clash on Monday that left five residents with gunshot wounds and several others injured.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the military team stormed the community early Monday morning to carry out a land reclamation operation on degraded sites believed to have been affected by illegal mining activities.
One of the injured victims, Kwame Adu, recounted the harrowing experience to reporters.
“Five of our brothers were hit. None of us was armed or violent — we only wanted to protect our livelihoods,” he said painfully.
Another eyewitness, Madam Afia Serwaa, a trader, described the incident as terrifying and unprovoked.
“They were beating people and chasing us out of our shops. Even women who were selling food by the roadside ran for their lives. We are not against the government’s efforts to reclaim the land, but the soldiers should not treat us like enemies,” she lamented.
The situation worsened on Tuesday morning, when news of the injuries spread across the town. Hundreds of enraged youth took to the streets, mounting roadblocks and setting tyres ablaze to demand justice and government intervention. The protest caused a total shutdown of activities in the area, as traders, transport operators, and schoolchildren were left stranded.
Another resident, Akua Mother, narrated her ordeal, saying the soldiers attacked without warning.
“They just arrived and started beating people, seizing our tools, and threatening to shoot anyone who asked questions. We tried to defend ourselves, but they opened fire. Now several of our people are injured and in hospital. We need the government to intervene,” she cried.
The victims of the alleged shooting were rushed to nearby health facilities for treatment, with eyewitnesses confirming that at least five individuals were in critical condition.
In the heat of the protest, the Manso Adubia Police Command and officers from the Amansie South District Security Council (DISEC) were dispatched to the scene to restore calm and prevent further escalation. After hours of tense standoffs, the security team managed to disperse the crowd, but the situation in Manso Nyankomase remained volatile as evening fell.
Community leaders, including traditional authorities, have strongly condemned the alleged military brutality. Speaking to the media, a local sub-chief, Nana Kwadwo Nyarko, called for immediate government intervention and a thorough investigation into the incident.
“We are law-abiding citizens and fully support the government’s efforts to reclaim lands destroyed by illegal mining. However, what we witnessed here is unacceptable. Our people have been brutalized, their farms destroyed, and their peace taken away. The government must call the military to order and ensure justice for those affected,” he appealed.
Residents are calling on the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Dr. Frank Amoakohene, and the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie South, Hon. Benjamin Marfo, to personally visit the community and address their grievances. They have also urged the government to ensure that future reclamation exercises are carried out with proper stakeholder engagement, transparency, and respect for human rights.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources are yet to issue official statements regarding the alleged assault. Attempts by journalists to reach their public relations departments proved unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
The Manso enclave, including Nyankomase and surrounding communities, remains one of the key areas affected by illegal mining activities in the Ashanti Region. The government’s ongoing land reclamation project, which is part of its broader fight against galamsey, seeks to restore the environment and protect water bodies. However, residents insist that while they support the initiative, the use of military force and intimidation undermines community trust and peace.
As calm gradually returns to Manso Nyankomase, locals are still demanding accountability and justice for those allegedly brutalized, insisting that no development initiative should come at the expense of human dignity and safety.
