A section of some students from Akatakyieso D/A Basic School at the demonstration ground
Residents of Akatakyieso in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region have called on President John Dramani Mahama to urgently intervene after the alleged forceful takeover of a mining concession belonging to Smart Mickey Mining Company Limited.
The residents have accused Captain (Retired) John Kwame Jabari, the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, of leading a group—allegedly with ties to the National Democratic Congress (NDC)—to unlawfully seize control of the company’s legally acquired mining site. They claim the action is politically motivated and intended to incite tension between the local community and outsiders brought in by the Coordinator.
The community has vowed to resist any further attempt to remove Smart Mickey Mining from the site, drawing comparisons to the deadly clashes at the AngloGold Ashanti Mine in Obuasi, which claimed five lives.
“We are ready to defend our land,” one protester said during a peaceful demonstration held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
The protesters, including school children, marched through the town wearing red armbands and holding placards that read: “Mahama, you are disappointing us”, “Don’t touch Michael Owusu, our saviour”, “We need jobs, not intimidation”, and “Jabari is making NDC unpopular”.
Chairman of the Akatakyieso NDC, Joseph Gyamfi, also known as “Chairman Pusher,” condemned the action, saying he was denied access to the site despite identifying himself as a party member.
“They told me the party is in power, but I don’t know what party they mean because they don’t even recognise their own,” he said, urging President Mahama and the Asantehene to step in.
According to Gyamfi and other residents, Captain Jabari led men who evicted workers from the site, seized company machinery, and handed over control of the concession to individuals loyal to him. Proceeds from the mining operation, they claimed, were to be delivered to him in Kumasi.
Jones Owusu, Chairman of the Akatakyieso Unit Committee and convener of the protest, described the takeover as “a betrayal” and a violation of the community’s rights. He emphasised that Smart Mickey Mining, led by Michael Owusu (a.k.a. “Lion” or “Akwasi Macho”), had legally acquired the concession in 2019 and had since invested heavily in local development.
He listed several community projects by the company, including the renovation of the Akatakyieso Palace, re-roofing the town’s schools, supporting the local health post, and constructing a police station that is 75% complete. He added that the company employs both locals and migrants from other regions and tribes, reducing crime and boosting livelihoods.
Even the local police, he said, have acknowledged a drop in crime due to job creation by the company. “These are things government should be doing, but Smart Mickey is doing them instead. That’s why we are fighting for them,” Owusu explained.
In an interview with DAILY GUIDE, a mine worker who identified himself as “Maybe” and serves as the NDC Chairman for Obuasi Central, criticised the state’s role in the incident. He warned that such actions could alienate loyal party supporters and lead to unrest. “You can’t seize a registered concession just because your party is in power. That’s lawlessness,” he stated.
A distressed resident, Afia Adwubi Kete, described the event as “state capture,” and reminded President Mahama of his promise to treat all citizens equally, regardless of political affiliation.
Attempts to reach Captain (Retired) Jabari for a response were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls or reply to text messages. However, speaking on a local radio station following a viral Facebook post, Captain Jabari denied claims of illegal mining and insisted no such takeover had occurred.
Meanwhile, tension remains high in Akatakyieso as residents await action from the government and the Asantehene to restore peace and order.
From David Afum, Akatakyieso