The Assembly member of Aboabo, Samuel Danquah, has been confirmed dead at the hospital after allegedly being shot by soldiers during a military clash with residents of Mpatuam in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region.
Two others are receiving treatment after sustaining gunshot wounds from the clash.
The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, following tensions between youth in the community and armed military personnel stationed at a mining concession.
According to the Assembly Member for Mpatuam, Hon. Kwame Sakyi, the clash began after residents accused Asanko Mines security of killing a miner the day before.
“The agitated youth blocked roads in the community in response to the alleged killing, leading to a scuffle between the youth and security personnel. During the confrontation, the armed soldiers opened fire on the residents, of which a stray bullet from the sporadic gunshots allegedly hit the Assembly member and injured two others,” he said.
Eyewitnesses say the situation escalated when Hon. Samuel Danquah attempted to mediate between the angry family of the deceased miner and company officials. The 45-year-old was reportedly shot multiple times while trying to calm tensions. His body was later taken to the Mother of God Clinic in Esaase Bontefufuo, where residents of Aboabo and Mpatuam gathered in grief, wailing, chanting, and vowing revenge.
A clinic staff member explained that military and private security are often deployed at the mine to prevent illegal mining.
“Sometimes the residents go near the debris hoping to find traces of gold. The military suspects that was what the unidentified man was attempting before he was killed. Unfortunately, the Assemblyman, who was only trying to calm tensions, also lost his life,” the staff said.
A brother of the deceased added, “My brother was not illegally mining, he was an Assemblyman. He was trying to mediate when he saw the mining machines working, and the agitations about the recent shooting, and they shot him. We demand justice.”
Following the incident, reports indicate that agitated youth have set fire to cars and other property belonging to the mining company. Kwame Sakyi, who witnessed the events, described the scene as chaotic, with the youth demanding justice for their colleague.
