Lands Ministry Launches Probe into Manso Keniago Shooting as Death Toll Dispute Deepens

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has commenced investigations into the shooting at Manso Keniago in the Ashanti Region that left at least four people dead and 15 others injured, even as traditional authorities and civil society groups dispute the official casualty figures and demand an independent inquiry.

In a statement issued Friday, November 13, the Ministry described the incident as "deeply unfortunate" and expressed "profound concern" over the deaths and injuries recorded following Wednesday's confrontation between residents of the Amansie South District community and personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) .

"The Ministry and for that matter, the Sector Minister, has expressed profound concern about the development and has assured the public that every effort will be made to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident," the statement read .

The Ministry extended its sympathies to "the affected military personnel and civilians, particularly the families of those who died," and stressed that all operations in the natural resources sector must be conducted "in accordance with the law, professionalism and respect for human rights" .

Competing Accounts and a Rising Toll

The Ministry's statement put the death toll at four with 15 injured. But the Chief of Manso Domi Keniago, Nana Obeng Mensah Ababio, has since told journalists that seven people were killed, and the Ghana News Agency reported his appeal to government to ensure justice for the seven deceased . ChannelOne News noted that "additional background information on the incident puts the death toll at seven, with 13 others injured" .

The circumstances of the shooting remain contested. NAIMOS maintains that its task force encountered an "armed mob" while transporting a seized excavator along a newly tarred road, and that personnel fired warning shots after two of its officers sustained gunshot wounds . The community insists the shooting was unprovoked, with the Chief alleging that victims were shot in their homes, in a bathroom, and while fleeing .

Residents and traditional leaders had objected to the excavator being driven directly on the tarred road rather than transported on a low-bed truck, fearing damage to the road surface — a dispute that escalated into the violence .

Calls for Independent Investigation Mount

The Chief has called for an independent committee to investigate the incident and make its findings public, insisting that "I am not against the fight against galamsey, and I do not support illegal mining. I want justice for my people" .

The National Concerned Small-Scale Miners' Association has also urged President John Dramani Mahama to order an independent investigation, demanding accountability for any NAIMOS personnel found to have acted unlawfully, a review of operational procedures, and protection of citizens' constitutional rights .

The Ashanti Regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) condemned the shootings, warning that "the authority to kill is not part of NAIMOS's terms of reference" and calling for a transparent probe into both the Manso Kaniago incident and an earlier fatal shooting at Obuasi in January 2025 .

The Ministry has urged residents "to remain calm, exercise restraint and cooperate with relevant authorities to handle the matter amicably" .