Families of slain illegal miners at Obuasi appeal to government for support

Families of individuals who lost their lives during a clash between illegal miners and a military detachment at one of AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi Mine sites in January 2025 have renewed calls for justice and support, one year after the incident.

In a video shared on social media platform X on Sunday, January 18, 2026, relatives of the deceased appealed to the government and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to intervene and provide assistance, saying the deaths have left their families in severe hardship.

The Obuasi 'Massacre': What we know so far

According to the families, promises of support made by authorities after the incident are yet to materialise.

They said the loss of their relatives, many of whom were breadwinners, has made it difficult to care for their children and dependants.

“Their deaths have severely affected us. They died in a painful way, and although authorities promised to assist us, we have not received any support. Taking care of my children has become very difficult. We are suffering, and I appeal to President Mahama and Otumfuo to come to our aid,” one family member said.

Another relative added, “My brother was among those who died. He left behind five children, and we are struggling to care for them. We are appealing to the government to assist us.”

According to a statement issued by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the confrontation at AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi Gold Mine resulted in the death of seven illegal miners.

8 dead as small-scale miners clash with soldiers at Obuasi

It indicated that the incident occurred when approximately 60 unauthorised individuals breached the mine’s security fence at the Côte d’Or Ramp in an attempt to access the Deep Decline area.

The statement said the illegal miners were armed with locally manufactured rifles, pump-action guns, gas cylinders, knives, heavy-duty industrial bolt cutters, axes and machetes.

When a military patrol deployed under Operation HALT II intervened to stop their entry, the miners allegedly opened fire, prompting the soldiers to return fire in self-defence. This led to the fatalities and left one miner seriously injured.

See the video below:

🇬🇭 Families of civilians killed by the military on AngloGold Ashanti’s concession are still seeking justice,one year on, they are appealing to the government and the Asantehene for support and accountability. pic.twitter.com/aRezmCJOC8

— CDR AFRICA (@cdrafrica) January 17, 2026