33 persons have been arrested by the Western Regional Police Command in connection with the attack on the Golden Star Resources Company at Wassa Benso in the Western Region.
The suspects were arrested on Friday, March 17, 2023, following their alleged involvement in the violent attack on the mining company’s concession.
According to the police, the 33 suspects are in their custody assisting the investigation, and would soon be put before the court to face justice.
“We would like to urge the general public to always endeavour to choose peaceful means rather than violence to resolve their differences,” a statement from the police indicated.
Some residents of Wassa Benso attacked the mining company on Thursday, March 16, 2023, after some illegal miners who encroached on the premises were confronted by the police.
The illegal miners left the area after initially being asked to do so, only to remobilize and come back to clash with the security personnel of the company.
The incident led to the death of one person while four others sustained various degrees of injury.
The attackers reportedly set the mine ablaze after the workers bolted for their lives.
They set ablaze 12 vehicles including excavators, ambulances, and pick-ups.
According to the Assembly Member for Benso Electoral Area, properties worth millions of Ghana Cedis were destroyed in the blaze.
Meanwhile, the police assured that they had restored calm and order at the mining site following the disturbances.
In a statement, they said they had reached out to some opinion leaders in the community and the management of Golden Star mines to find an amicable and lasting settlement.
