One person sustained a gunshot wound during a confrontation between a joint Military and Police team and a group of suspected illegal miners at Kyebi Zongo in the Abuakwa South Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The incident occurred on Saturday, July 11, during an operation reportedly led by security personnel attached to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
The victim, who was shot in the leg, is currently receiving treatment at the Kibi Government Hospital.
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Although the exact circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation, information gathered indicates that a group of youth engaged in mining activities had blocked the access road leading to the mining site, preventing the security team from entering.
The miners allegedly accused the security personnel of selective enforcement in the ongoing fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. According to the aggrieved group, other nearby mining sites engaged in similar activities had allegedly been left untouched, prompting accusations of unfair targeting and favouritism.
The standoff reportedly escalated into a confrontation, during which gunfire was discharged, leaving one person injured.
The Eastern South Regional Police Command has confirmed the incident and says investigations are underway to establish the circumstances that led to the shooting.
The latest incident comes amid intensified nationwide efforts by the government and security agencies to clamp down on illegal mining, which continues to threaten Ghana’s water bodies, forests and farmlands.