The recent incident at Newmont’s Ahafo South mine has sparked widespread outrage and calls for urgent reforms in how mining-related security issues are handled in Ghana. Reports indicate that on January 8, 2025, police officers deployed to protect Newmont’s site fatally shot three individuals and injured others, allegedly for engaging in illegal mining activities on the company’s concession.
The deceased and injured individuals, reportedly residents of Acherensua in the Ahafo Region, were accused of trespassing on Newmont’s concession. The tragic event has led to public outcry, particularly among the youth and traditional leaders in Acherensua and neighboring communities, who have criticized the security forces’ response as excessively harsh and disproportionate.
Rising Concerns Over Security in Mining Areas
Civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and local stakeholders have expressed alarm over escalating tensions in mining communities, especially those surrounding Newmont’s Ahafo mines. Many argue that this incident is symptomatic of deeper, unresolved grievances between mining companies and host communities.
WACAM, a civil society organization focused on environmental and human rights issues, noted that similar incidents of violence and human rights abuses in mining communities have become a recurring problem. The use of state and private security personnel by multinational mining companies to safeguard their operations has often resulted in harassment, injuries, and fatalities.
A History of Human Rights Violations
In 2008, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) investigated human rights abuses in Ghana’s mining sector. The findings revealed patterns of harassment and inhumane treatment, including alleged illegal miners and innocent community members being subjected to abuse by security personnel.
CHRAJ’s report called on security agencies to adhere strictly to Article 15 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the inviolability of human dignity and prohibits torture or inhumane treatment. Despite these recommendations, violations have persisted, raising questions about accountability in the sector.
WACAM’s Recommendations
WACAM has outlined a series of urgent actions for the government to address the systemic issues in mining communities:
- Independent Investigations: Launch a thorough, impartial investigation into the insecurity and human rights violations in communities affected by Newmont’s operations in Ahafo North and South.
- Review Police Conduct: Task the Inspector General of Police to probe the actions of the officers involved in the recent shootings and hold them accountable for any misconduct.
- Revise Security Protocols: Develop and implement security measures that respect the rights of residents in mining-affected areas.
- 4.Hold Mining Companies Accountable: Mandate mining companies to adopt and report on measures that prioritize the protection of human rights within host communities.
Upholding Rights and Preventing Future Incidents
WACAM emphasized that extrajudicial actions against individuals accused of illegal mining undermine the rule of law and violate constitutional protections, including the right to life and a fair trial. While the state security forces are responsible for enforcing the law and protecting mining operations, they must also safeguard the rights and lives of all citizens.
The organization has called for immediate government intervention to prevent further violence, ensure accountability, and uphold the dignity and rights of mining communities in Ghana.
Source: WACAM
