Tension Brews In Bibiani-As Three persons sustain gunshot wounds during demonstration
Information reaching Soireenews.com indicates that three persons have been reported sustained gunshot wounds from stray bullets at Bibiani in the Western North during a demonstration to prevent the opening of the Mensin Mines.
Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu Greater 
Information reaching Soireenews.com indicates that three persons have been reported sustained gunshot wounds from stray bullets at Bibiani in the Western North during a demonstration to prevent the opening of the Mensin Mines.
The victims have been rushed to the Bibiani government hospital where they are receiving treatment.
The Paramount Chief of Sefwi Anhwiaso who doubles as the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II had gone to Bibiani to perform a rite to officially open the Mensin Mine when the incident happened on Wednesday July 20, 2022.
The youth of Bibiani have accused the management of the mine of refusing them employment which a situation which occasioned Wednesday’s demonstration.
It is reported some of the youth who were allegedly armed opened fire upon reaching the precinct of the mine which was under heavy security.
The Bibiani Police have opened investigations into the incident.
It was recalled that members of the Small Scale Miners Association (SSMA) in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality have staged a demonstration to drive home their demand for community mining in the area.
They said the management of Mensin Gold Mines Limited, the Assembly and traditional authorities have refused to allow members to engage in community mining in the area.
According to the Association, Mensin Gold Mines Limited use security personnel to prevent them from entry to their legitimate concession site for community mining, which is backed by the necessary documents.
The demonstrators, numbering more than a hundred, clad in red and black, holding placards, demanded that the authorities released their concession to them to enable them to engage in Community mining to cater for their families.
The leader of the group, Mr. James Mensah who addressed journalists, said while the Municipality has resources the indigenes had been neglected and denied employment.
He pointed out that mining companies such as Chirano Gold Mines Limited, Ghana Bauxite Corporation and Mensin Gold Mines Limited were all based in the Municipality but have no significant impact in the lives of the youth in the area.
Mr Mensah explained that attempts were made to meet the Member of Parliament for the area, who doubles as the Regional Minister, Kingsely Aboagye-Gyedu, the Paramount Chief of the Sefwi-Anhwaiso traditional area, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyabi II and the management of Mensin Gold Mines for a peaceful coexistence but efforts proved futile.
Mr Dominic Afriyie, the convener, noted that community mining would provide funds to support the Assembly in community development projects.
According to him, the reason for their demonstration was the fact they were "hungry and could not sit aloof while foreigners enjoyed their resources."
“We need legal mining concessions to work on to survive", he pointed out.
"Our youth are starving, they have been arrested day in and day out for unlawful reasons. Money to buy food has become a problem for us, releasing the land for the community mining will prevent stealing and other social vices," he said.
He, therefore, appealed to President Akuffo-Addo and stakeholders to permit them to do community mining.
