Mpatuam Shooting; Asuoyin assembly member mourns death of colleague, demands justice in Mpatuam shooting:
Following the tragic shooting of Mpatuam-Aboabo Assembly Member, Hon. Sampson Darkwa, Hon. Richard Kofi Agyemang, the assembly member for Asuonyin electoral area, has expressed deep sorrow and called for a thorough investigation into the incident. He also appealed to President John Dramani Mahama’s government to ensure justice is served.
“This morning, upon hearing of a developing situation in his area, I attempted to reach Hon. Sampson Darkwa,” stated Hon. Agyemang. “I called him six times, but unfortunately, he did not answer.” He subsequently contacted another Member of Parliament in the area, who confirmed the devastating news of Hon. Darkwa’s death.
According to the source, the shooting occurred amid a dispute between the community and military personnel associated with the Asanko Mining Company. The community was reportedly protesting the earlier killing of a local youth by the same military personnel. Hon. Darkwa, seeking to de-escalate the situation, was tragically shot by the military personnel without apparent justification.
“The most concerning aspect of this situation is that the community does not have any existing grievances with Asanko Mining,” Hon. Agyemang emphasized. “The killings have become excessive, and it’s deeply unfortunate.”
Hon. Agyemang expressed his plea to the President and the government, saying, “We are pleading with President John Dramani Mahama and his government to ensure that proper measures are taken, and justice is served.”
He questioned the rationale behind the use of lethal force. “We are not saying that Asanko should not protect their concessions, but why are military personnel killing innocent people whose actions pose no threat to the company? They kill a youth one day, and the community protests the next day, and then they continue by killing an Assembly member trying to calm the agitated youth to ensure peace. I don’t think the government would send someone to come and kill people. We must be very careful with some of these things.”
He therefore urged the government to make sure justice is served for the lates assembly member and the entire community adding that it was very unfortunate that most of these communities where the Asanko Mining Company operate do not see peace.
