A 22-year-old man, identified as Kwaku Etsi, has allegedly been shot dead by a purported security guard of Chinese illegal miners at Hiawa, in the Amenfi Central District of the Western Region.
According to sources, the alleged incident happened in the early hours of Thursday, June 29, 2023.
The 22-year-old man was allegedly shot dead after he was seen by the security guard at a mining site purportedly belonging to the Chinese nationals.
The reason for the deceased’s presence at the site was not immediately known, however, it was speculated that Kwaku Etsi was there to take some sand bearing ore, also called ‘black’.
Reports had it that the deceased was first shot in his leg and started begging for mercy, but the guard allegedly went ahead to shoot his head, back and chest.
According to some of the residents, after committing the alleged heinous crime, the suspect has absconded from the community.
Upon hearing the story, the youth in the area took to the streets to protest, and in the process, destroyed some of the Chinese nationals’ property.
One of the demonstrators, Takyi Kweku, claimed that the police rather arrested some of the irate youth than arresting the Chinese illegal miners and their supposed security guards.
“We were only protesting the death of our friend. We needed answers on why he was shot. The police have instead been arresting the protesters. So most of us are fleeing the community as I speak, because we are afraid they will come after us.
“The Chinese illegal miners are still working with their ‘macho’ men whilst we are fleeing. They hold the pump action guns on the streets protecting the Chinese illegal miners day and night,” he asserted.
Assembly member for the community, Ebenezer Obimpeh, indicated that the situation is currently under control and that the protestors who were arrested have been granted bail after they were hauled before court.
From Emmanuel Opoku, TakoradiÂ