Manso Keniago Clash: Here are five things small-scale miners are demanding from Mahama

The National Concerned Small-Scale Miners’ Association has called on President John Dramani Mahama to order an independent investigation into the killings at Manso Keniago in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region.

The association is also demanding accountability from any National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) personnel found to have acted unlawfully during the operation.

In a press statement dated Thursday, November 12, 2026, and signed by its President, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, the association expressed concern over allegations involving members of the special forces operating under NAIMOS.

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It called for urgent presidential intervention, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the incident must be independently investigated.

The association outlined five key demands it wants the government to address following the incident.

1. Immediate presidential intervention: The association wants President Mahama to direct an independent investigation into the killings at Manso Keniago.

2. Independent investigative committee: It is demanding the establishment of a credible and impartial committee to investigate the conduct of the NAIMOS special forces involved in the operation.

3. Accountability: The group wants any officer found to have acted unlawfully or abused their authority to be held accountable under Ghanaian law.

4. Review of NAIMOS operations: It is also calling for a review of the operational procedures, rules of engagement and conduct of personnel deployed under the Secretariat to prevent similar incidents.

5. Protection of citizens' rights: The association insists that all anti-illegal mining operations must respect the constitutional rights, dignity and lives of citizens.

Explaining its position, the association said the incident reportedly occurred within the Manso Keniago community and not at a designated mining site.

It further argued that the mere ownership or possession of an excavator does not constitute a criminal offence under Ghanaian law.

“For the avoidance of doubt, our Association is not opposed to the operations of NAIMOS or the government's efforts to combat illegal mining,” the statement said.

However, it warned against the use of excessive force, arguing that a shoot-to-kill approach would not provide a lasting solution to illegal mining.

“The fight against illegal mining must not become a fight against innocent citizens,” the association stressed.

It urged the President to act swiftly, warning that failure to address the incident could create public resentment against the government.

“Justice must be served, and the people of Manso Keniago deserve answers,” the statement concluded.

NA/BAI