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Several miners from Akyem Potrase have been hospitalized at the Kyebi Government Hospital following a violent clash with the Okyeman task force on Monday, May 20, 2024.
The incident has heightened tensions in the already strained mining community.
The confrontation occurred on Monday afternoon when the Okyeman task force encountered resistance from local miners during an enforcement operation.
The situation escalated quickly as miners barricaded entry to the community with logs, leading to a violent altercation.
Chief of Potrase, Nana Ansah Sasraku, reported that individuals injured in the clash are being treated for severe gunshot wounds.
He expressed frustration over the persistent illegal mining activities in the area, despite ongoing efforts to stop them.
The clash has also led to the arrest of four individuals, who are currently being held at the Kyebi Police Division pending further investigation, as confirmed by Baffour Asiedu Bekoe, the leader of the Okyeman task force.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges posed by illegal mining practices in the Eastern Region, which continue to cause significant damage to farmlands and water bodies.
In response to the conflict, Seth Kwame Acheampong, the Regional Security Council Coordinator, has committed to finding a sustainable resolution to the recurring disputes between miners and the task force.
