Manso Nkwanta MP demands justice, accountability after Asanko Mine violence claims lives:
Hon. Tweneboa Kodua Fokuo, the Member of Parliament for the Manso Nkwanta Constituency, has issued a strong call for swift justice and accountability following a violent incident at Asanko Mines that resulted in the deaths of an elected Assemblyman Sampson Darkwa and another resident.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the MP expressed profound grief over what he described as a “heinous act of violence” allegedly perpetrated by military officers deployed to the mining company. The MP stated that the brutality has not only deprived families of their loved ones, but also inflicted a grievous wound upon the foundations of Ghana’s democracy, security, and community dignity.
The MP revealed that residents of Manso Nkwanta had for months raised concerns about intimidation, harassment, and mistreatment by security personnel stationed at the mine.
Warning that the escalation of these abuses to lethal force underscores the urgent necessity for a national reevaluation of the deployment of armed officers in private company operations, Kodua Fokuo demanded immediate action from key state institutions. Specifically, he called on the Ministry of the Interior to launch an independent public inquiry into the conduct of the military officers involved.
Furthermore, the lawmaker urged the Ministry of Defence and the Ghana Armed Forces to take disciplinary action against the officers responsible and to review existing deployment policies.
Additionally, the MP called upon the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission to investigate Asanko Mines’ involvement in the incident and to scrutinize their community engagement practices. He also called on the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to probe human rights violations and recommend appropriate redress.
Kodua Fokuo further requested that Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee summon the relevant ministers for accountability.
In addition, he demanded the immediate suspension of all military personnel at the mine pending the outcome of the investigations, along with the provision of full compensation and official recognition for the bereaved families. He also advocated for the provision of comprehensive psychosocial support for the traumatized community.
“This incident must not be regarded as an isolated occurrence, but rather as a critical wake-up call for Ghana to thoroughly re-evaluate the relationship between mining companies, security institutions, and the host communities,” the MP stated. “The blood of our brothers, including the late Assemblyman, must not be shed in vain. We have a moral obligation to honor their memory and uphold the dignity of the Ghanaian people, ensuring that justice is served expeditiously, transparently, and without prejudice.”
The MP extended an appeal to the media, civil society organizations, faith-based groups, and the international community, urging them to stand in solidarity with the people of Manso Nkwanta in their quest for justice and in the protection of citizens from instances of corporate and institutional abuse.
