Students in Obuasi schools will miss two days of classes due to tensions following a violent clash between illegal miners and military personnel at AngloGold Obuasi Mine. The confrontation, triggered by miners breaching the security fence, resulted in at least eight deaths and several injuries.

Although heavy security has been deployed to the area, students in the gold mining community have been directed to stay away from school. In the early hours of Sunday, some illegal miners in Obuasi went on a rampage following the killing of their colleagues in a clash with the military. The illegal miners had besieged one of the abandoned concessions of AngloGold Ashanti when they were confronted by military personnel on guard.

At least eight of the miners have been confirmed dead while several others sustained varied degrees of injury to their arms, chest, legs and other body parts. The Ghana Armed Forces, in a statement, indicated they returned fire in self-defence when the illegal miners fired at their troops on duty. The irate miners, in retaliation, hit the principal streets of the town and set ablaze four vehicles of sub-contractors of the mine of which one crashed into a nearby shop and torched properties.

Amid security concerns, Obuasi and Obuasi East schools have been temporarily closed for two days. Residents believe a permanent military base could help reduce tensions. The mining company has also implemented measures to protect workers, including advising them to avoid wearing official uniforms or items linking them to the company.

BAR AMSA

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