Three residents of Saaman, a community in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region, reportedly sustained gunshot injuries following a violent confrontation involving alleged military personnel and the youth.
The incident reportedly stemmed from rising tensions between the youth and Kibi Goldfields Limited, a mining company that has faced repeated accusations of polluting and diverting the Akusu River, Saaman’s primary water source.
Angel News reporter Francis Armah reported that, according to the residents, the river serves over 50 communities in the area, making its preservation critical to them.
They claim that after several unsuccessful engagements with the company to cease its environmental activities, Kibi Goldfields allegedly summoned a contingent of approximately 100 armed military personnel to the area.
During the chaotic scenes that followed, gunshots were fired, resulting in three injuries, including a lady who is now receiving treatment in critical condition at the Koforidua Government Hospital.
The two other victims have since been discharged, the reporter stated in his report.
Beyond the water pollution, the community accuses the company of engaging in illegal mining activities and widespread land degradation.
They are now appealing to the government to intervene, remove the soldiers from Saaman, and take urgent steps to protect the Akusu River.
Speaking to the media, the chief of Akyem Saaman, Barima Ofori Nyarko, expressed deep frustration with Kibi Goldfields and said he has repeatedly reached out to the company through letters, seeking dialogue over their operations but to no avail.
According to the chief, he is now considering measures to expel the company from the community entirely.
