Ghana's military said that seven illegal miners were killed and one injured in a gun battle last Saturday after a group of around 60 individuals breached the mine’s security fence and opened fire on soldiers stationed there. The military stated they acted in self-defense, with one soldier injured in the exchange.
The presidency called the incident "tragic" and has launched an immediate investigation to uncover the facts.
However, the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners presented to a Western media outlet a different account, alleging that nine unarmed individuals were killed and fourteen seriously injured by the soldiers. According to the association, previous intrusions at the site had been met with non-lethal deterrence, and they questioned the need for such force.