CDS Africa Calls for Update on AngloGold Ashanti Tragedy Investigation

The Africa Center for Democracy and Socioeconomic Development, CDS Africa expresses deep concern over the lack of progress in the investigations surrounding the tragic incident at the AngloGold Ashanti mine in Obuasi, which resulted in the deaths of eight individuals. It has been over three weeks since President John Mahama directed the police to investigate the matter immediately. Yet, the public is still without an official report or update on the findings. On the night of January 18, 2025, military personnel guarding the Obuasi gold mine reportedly clashed with a group of miners attempting to access the restricted site. According to the Ghana Armed Forces, about 60 individuals, armed with locally manufactured rifles, breached the security perimeter and opened fire on a military patrol, prompting the soldiers to return fire and resulting in the death of eight people.
In our earlier statement, CDS Africa drew attention to the fact that the failure of both the Police Administration and the President of the Republic to respond to clear and repeated warnings has allowed marauding thugs to attack state agencies and private businesses with impunity. We also urged the President and the Police Service to take swift and decisive action to ensure that such violence never happens again. Therefore, the delay in releasing the investigative report fuels speculation and distrust, leaving families of the deceased without closure. CDS Africa urges the Ghana Police Service to expedite the investigation and provide a comprehensive report on their findings and conclusion.
CDS Africa strongly urges the following steps:
• Immediate Public Update: The Police should immediately issue clear statements and detailed updates on the status of the investigation, including preliminary findings and next steps. This will ensure that the public is kept informed while safeguarding sensitive details. This helps prevent misinformation from spreading and builds trust.
• Engage Independent Bodies: The police should collaborate with independent bodies to ensure impartiality and transparency in the investigation. This would also help establish accountability for any human rights violations.
• Regular Updates for the Affected Families: Again, the Police should ensure consistent communication with the families of the victims, providing them with updates on the investigation’s progress. It is critical for the victims’ families to feel that their concerns are being addressed and that justice will be served.
This investigation must not fade into obscurity like many before it. We demand transparency, accountability, and concrete reforms to prevent such disasters in the future. CDS Africa stands with the families of the victims and the Ghanaian public in calling for swift justice and meaningful change. The government must act decisively to ensure that corporate and regulatory failures do not continue to cost innocent lives.

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The Africa Center for Democracy and Socioeconomic Development (CDS Africa) is a think tank that recognizes the importance of democracy in Africa’s growth and development.
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