Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has explained the circumstances under which the Assemblyman for Manso Aboabo, Samuel Danquah, died, in a recent face off between the personnel of the forces and alleged illegal miners (galamseyers).

"On Monday & September 2025, during routine patrols along the concession boundary, troops encountered some illegal miners operating within the restricted zones of the company. The illegal miners fled upon seeing the personnel, but later claimed that in the process of fleeing, one young man tragically fell into an abandoned pit and drowned," GAF narrated in a statement dated September 10, 2025.

"On Tuesday 9 September 2025, several groups of illegal miners arrived and in protest deposited the dead body near the military base at Esaase. The Civil Police was contacted to retrieve the body; however, the group reclaimed the body before the arrival of the Police," the statement signed by VA Arhin, Captain (Ghana Navy), Acting Director General Public Relations, continued.

GAF said, "Subsequently, the illegal miners, together with crowd from adjoining communities, attacked and burnt heavy-duty equipment including articulated trucks, excavators, bulldozers, mining drilling machines, tipper trucks, pick up vehicle among many others. A total of fourteen (14) equipment was destroyed. In the course of the confrontation, the Assemblyman for Manso Aboabo, Mr. Samuel Danquah who was part of the demonstrators, was injured and later confirmed dead at a nearby clinic at Nkawie. The situation was brought under control after reinforcements and firing of warning shots."

GAF expressed its "regrets" for the fatalities and extended its "condolences to the bereaved families and the community".

The forces explained they deployed personnel in the Asanko Gold Company concession "to prevent encroachment by unauthorized individuals and protect lives and properties since July 2025" and that this followed "extensive engagement by the management of Asanko Gold Ghana Limited with the Regional Security Council, Amansie West and South District Security Councils and representatives of the illegal miners".

They statement strongly cautioned "the people of Matuam and all others in mining communities to desist from arming themselves to confront the Ghana Armed Forces".

"We urge all citizens to cooperate with the Armed Forces and refrain from acts that endanger lives or undermine national security," GAF said, announcing they had "commenced investigations" into the aforementioned incident.