Amansie West residents are demanding justice after the killing of a local Assembly Member and another resident during a violent confrontation involving military personnel at the Asanko Gold Mine site.
Hon. Sampson Darkwa, Assembly Member for the Manso Mpatuam Aboabo Electoral Area, was killed in the incident alongside another resident from Mpatuam. Their deaths have left the district in grief, sparking anger and renewed calls for government action against what residents describe as excessive force used by security operatives attached to mining companies.
Hon. Darkwa was widely respected across the district for his role in championing better schools, improved infrastructure, and essential amenities for his community. His death has been described by residents as not only a personal loss but a blow to development efforts in the area.
“We are deeply saddened by the brutal killing of our colleague Assembly Member. This is not just an attack on one man but an attack on the entire district,” said Hon. Richard Kofi Achina, Assembly Member for Essuowin. “We are calling on the government to investigate this matter thoroughly, ensure justice is served, and take measures to prevent these killings from happening again.”
Community members have also accused Asanko Gold Mine of fostering a climate of fear, alleging that military personnel deployed there routinely intimidate residents and use force against unarmed civilians. Civil society groups and opinion leaders are now joining the chorus of calls for justice, urging government to compensate the families of the victims and reassess the role of armed security in mining operations.
The deaths have intensified tension between mining companies and residents, who for years have complained of neglect, environmental destruction, and a lack of accountability.
