The Gyaasehene of Akrokerri in the Ashanti Region, Nana Kofi Berchie, has expressed regret over the tragic incident that claimed the lives of eight people at the AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi mine.
The unfortunate event occurred on Saturday night, with four vehicles being burnt, further heightening tensions in the area.
According to the chief, while this is not the first such incident, the loss of lives is particularly concerning.
In an interview on Accra-based Adom FM, Nana Berchie disclosed that the victims were small-scale miners who were participating in a demonstration.
Admitting his helplessness, Nana Berchie stated that he could not understand why people would decide to embark on a demonstration at night.
“I heard about the incident on Sunday morning, but I cannot speak freely about the issues for fear of my life,” he said. “I cannot speak freely because my life may be at risk. Something similar happened in the past, and around 11 p.m., people besieged and attacked my house, even though I had no knowledge of the incident.”
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but Nana Berchie has suggested that political factors could be involved.
“In some visuals I have intercepted, people were saying their party is in power and must survive,” he added.
Meanwhile, President John Mahama has ordered an immediate investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the tragic incident.
