A Ghanaian military officer, Timothy Adzakosi, was brutally assaulted by a group of unknown assailants believed to be illegal miners at Wassa Akyempim in the Western Region. The incident occurred when Adzakosi, accompanied by three colleagues, visited a galamsey site in the area.
According to sources, the attackers, suspected to be illegal miners, ambushed the military personnel, leaving Adzakosi severely injured. The motives behind the attack are still unclear, but it is believed to be linked to the ongoing tensions between military personnel and illegal miners in the region.
The authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, and a search is underway to apprehend the perpetrators. The military has also beefed up security in the area to prevent further attacks.
Galamsey, a local term for illegal small-scale mining, has been a persistent issue in Ghana for decades. The practice involves unauthorized mining of gold and other minerals, often in remote and rural areas. Galamsey operators, mostly artisanal miners, use rudimentary techniques and tools to extract minerals, frequently causing environmental degradation and health risks.
Ghana, Africa’s second-largest gold producer, has struggled to regulate the sector due to corruption, lack of enforcement, and poverty. Many galamsey operators are driven by economic necessity, as the industry provides a livelihood for thousands of people.
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A military officer named Timothy Adzakosi has reportedly been assaulted by unknown assailants believed to be illegal miners at Wassa Akyempim in the Western Region. It is reported that the victim was among three other colleagues who visited a galamsey site in the area.… pic.twitter.com/8PMwwsTSpl
— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) June 10, 2024
