The Artisanal Small-Scale Miners Association in Obuasi has given the government, AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Mine, and the National Chief Imam one week to take concrete steps toward securing an approved mining site for its members.
The group warned that it will be forced to “advise ourselves” if authorities fail to address their concerns within the stated period.
The ultimatum comes in the wake of the January 18, 2025, incident in which nine residents were killed after military officers guarding the AGA concession allegedly opened fire on members of the community.
Addressing journalists in Obuasi, the Association’s Secretary, Eugene Annan, expressed frustration over the lack of progress since the tragedy. He recalled that the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, had visited the bereaved families and pledged to engage AGA on a peaceful path forward.
“The National Chief Imam, His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, came to Obuasi to console the families and promised to speak to AGA to resolve the issue. AGA promised to give a concession to a small-scale miners association to work, but up to now, we have not heard anything from them,” he said.
Mr. Annan also alleged continued intimidation of their members by security personnel stationed around the mine.
“It is in the era of the current sustainability manager of AngloGold Ashanti, Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo, that military men are allowed to fire gunshots unnecessarily in our community,” he claimed.
He added that despite persistent appeals, AGA has yet to communicate any clear timeline for allocating a concession to the miners.
“Our problem is that AGA has not given us a place to work, and our chairman says there has been no communication from them. So there is no place for small-scale miners to operate in Obuasi.
“We are pleading with the government and stakeholders in Obuasi and Ananom. We are giving AGA a one-week ultimatum to come out with a comprehensive dialogue on when and where we can get a place to work. Otherwise, we will advise ourselves,” he stressed.
