The Economic Fighters League has announced that, it is monitoring reports surrounding the tragic and avoidable murder of eight Ghanaian civilians on Saturday January 19, 2025, during a clash between the Military and civilians at the AngloGold Ashanti Mines.
According to a statement released on Monday January 20, 2025, the group mentioned that, these individuals, labeled as illegal miners by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the Presidency’s Communication team, and AngloGold Ashanti, were killed under circumstances that raise serious questions about the state’s priorities and use of force.
The group has strongly condemned the narratives by GAF, the Presidency, and AngloGold Ashanti, which appear to serve as an unlawful attempt to justify the calculated murder of these civilians based on mere suspicion of illegality.
“These actions betray the principles of justice, due process, and the sanctity of Ghanaian lives”.
The statement by the group indicated that, the incident is alarming and the state’s security apparatus could be swiftly mobilized to defend corporate mining concessions, yet the same urgency is consistently absent when it comes to protecting the country’s water bodies, forest reserves, and the livelihoods of ordinary citizens from the scourge of environmental degradation.
The group has extended it’s condolences to families of the deceased who were shot during the clash.
Meanwhile, bodies of the deceased have been released to their families, awaiting final autopsies from the Komfo Anokye Hospital in Kumasi.
Authorities at the hospital have confirmed a total of nine (9) deaths and eight (8) injuries.
Read full statement below