Tensions in the mining community of Tontokrom are nearing a boiling point, as residents brace for what they fear could become a national crisis – barring any last-minute intervention by the government.

The standoff between locals and Asanko Gold Mines is expected to intensify on  Tuesday, September 2, following reports of an impending deployment of 120 additional soldiers to the area.

Residents accuse the company and its security collaborators of harassment, brutality, and a deliberate attempt to drive out local miners from concessions that have long supported livelihoods in the town. 

Many have vowed to resist the military deployment, declaring their readiness to lay down their lives if necessary.

“We’ve been informed that by Tuesday, 120 soldiers will arrive to attack us again,” said one of the youth leaders in an emotional interview.

“We have never seen this kind of injustice. If we can’t work, how do we survive?”

The residents argue that the government's stance reflects a broader pattern of prioritising the interests of foreign companies over those of Ghanaian citizens—especially in communities already grappling with high unemployment and economic hardship.

“A Canadian and South African company can come here, and our leaders support them to suppress their own people?

The fact that Tontokrom has been handed over to Asanko, allowing soldiers to harass us, is deeply troubling,” another resident added.

This development follows the Ashanti Regional Minister’s visit to the community to obtain first-hand information a week ago.

“We Are Ready”

While pleading for urgent intervention from President John Dramani Mahama, residents declared they are prepared for any form of intimidation.

“We are waiting for the soldiers to come and kill us all, and hand over the community to Asanko.

They can only kill us and take over the land — we are ready,” they said.

“We plead with the government — this situation is unprecedented in Ghana.

What have we done wrong? If we don’t work, how do we feed our families? We are not criminals.”

Residents claim that since the return of the military to the area, community members have been unable to go about their daily activities, disrupting the peace and worsening economic hardship.

Failed Campaign promise 

The residents recalled how, during the 2024 general elections, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) visited the community and promised to legalise their small-scale mining operations.

“The NDC, led by Malik Basintale, came and deceived us during the last elections.

They promised cooperative mining for the youth.”

They emphasised that Tontokrom, along with Asawase and Ejura, remains a stronghold of the NDC in the Ashanti Region. However, the current crisis has left them disillusioned.

“The NDC has finished deceiving us and is now supporting Asanko to harass us and deny us our livelihoods.

Let no NDC official come here to campaign in 2028.

If soldiers come on Tuesday to attack us and prevent us from working, the NDC should not set foot in Tontokrom again.”

Call for Cooperative Mining

Unit Committee Member, Kwabena Anumonyam, has appealed to President John Mahama and the Minerals Commission to heed the residents’ cries and grant them a lease for cooperative mining.

According to him, not only would this initiative reduce unemployment, but it would also help combat rising crime and social vices in the area.

The ongoing dispute between the residents and Asanko Gold Mines has deep historical roots.

For years, small-scale miners have accused the company of denying them access to lands they have worked on for generations. 

Previous attempts at mediation have failed, with both sides remaining firm in their positions.