Family of deceased illegal miner demands a state burial and GHc 500,000

Some relatives of Kwabena Agyemang, the illegal miner who lost his life during the impasse between members of “Operation Vanguard” and some small-scale miners in Wawasi have called on the government to treat their family member just like late Major Adams Mahama was treated after he was lynched in Denkyira-Obuasi.

Family members of the 31-year old miner have indicated that they would want their dearly departed to be given a state burial and also receive a GHc 500, 000 in compensation among other benefits. The representative of the family also hinted that they expected the full cost of the funeral to be borne by the government.

The family members added that they were making such demands because late Kwabena Agyemang was the lifeline of the family who supported the family financially. The family member speaking on behalf of the family indicated that government would feel their wrath should their request be ignored.

The family of the illegal miner believe that Kwabena Agyemang was deliberately killed to serve as a reply for the death of Major Maxwell Adams Mahama.

On Sunday August 6, some security personnel of the task force, “Operation Vanguard clashed with some small-scale miners in Wawasi, a suburb of Obuasi predominantly noted for illegal mining and the altercation led to the shooting of Kwabena Agyemang leading to his death.

According to the PRO of the task force, Major Gariba Pabi, the task force indicated that they were pelted with stones and fired upon causing them to return fire to disperse the crowd leading to the eath of the illegal miner. However, the illegal miners have indicated that they did not attack the security personnel.