Justice Will Be  Served In Killing  Of Miner In Asasetre ...Ellembele MP Gives Assurance And Calls For Calm

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP)for Ellembele Constituency in the Western Region, Mr Emmanuel Arnah Kofi Buah has described as barbaric, shameful, and unlawful the recent behaviours of some security officers of Adamus Resources Limited in Asasetre of the Ellembele District to set abraze the young man, Michael Budu at an illegal mining site.

According to Mr Buah who doubles as the former Minister of Energy, the act of the security officers to burn Michael Budu should be condemned by all meaning Ghanaians, saying that their vile action was an offense to laws that affront society.

Michael Budu, suspected to be an illegal miner, has been set on fire on Thursday December 23, 2021 by the security operatives of mining company Adamus Resources Limited for allegedly prospecting for gold illegally on their concession.

Unfortunately, he later died when he was on admission at the Eikwe Government Hospital receiving treatment for secondary burns that were inflicted on him by these security men of the mining firm.

The burns that were inflicted on the young man by these wicked security men amidst tension and confusion in the area, making many residents to call for the prosecution of the these heartless security officers who had committed heinous act.

However, in a quick intervention into the matter, Mr Bush was very upset and stated that it was highly unacceptable for these security officers of the mining firm to have taken the law into their hands to burn the young miner who they claimed to have invaded their mining concession. 

Following this development, the Ellembele MP called on the police to commission a full scale of investigations into  circumstances that may lead to the burning of the young man by the security officers.

He stressed that the urgent need for the police to also investigate the community relationship with the mining company.

According to him, the late young man was a resident of Asasetre which is a host mining community to Adamus Resources Limited, Anwia and should there had been any concerns about any illegal miners exploiting their concession, they could have employed due process to address it.

The Ellembele legislator stressed for the justice to be served for the life that had been lost to this inhumane attack by the company. 

Additionally, Mr Buah noted that those security personnel who allegedly set ablaze the young man should be brought to book.

"I am saying that the government should take the necessary steps to rectify the severed community relationship the company has with its host communities. 

"I call on the police to thoroughly investigate this sad event and ensure that justice is delivered with the support of the district security committee and government. Nobody must be too powerful or well connected in this investigation including Adamus mines Limited. 

"It is time for Adamus resources to re-examine its relationship with its operating area communities and change its occupation mentality approach to a much-respected approach in its dealings with the communities in the Ellembele district."

He cautioned the residents in the host community not to engage in any reprisal attack on the company. 

According to Mr. Armah, it is important cfor the community to exercise restraint with the fullest assurances of being granted justice over the death of the young man. 

"I call on the community to exercise restraint with the assurance that justice will be served," the MP stressed.

Speaking in an interview some agitated young in the area, they had issued a two week ultimatum to the government through Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor to order for the closure of the commercial operations of the mining company before commission investigations into the circumstances that lead to the setting abraze of Michael Budu.

Failure for the government to heed to their demand to close down the operation of the company, according to the aggrieved youth will compel them to embark demonstration.

They pointed that burning of Michael Budu by the security officers of the company was not the first cruel act the company has meted out to the residents in its host communities.

They cited many instances of how  the company has hired services of the joint team of both police and military to visit several attacks on some residents who usually opposrd some illegalities of the mining activities of the company.

They asserted that the host communities relationship with the company was very poor since the company started its commercial operation in the area.

Mr Emmanuel Arnah Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembele Constituency