At least 15 dead in violent clash between police and illegal miners at Manso Bonteso over excavators

A deadly confrontation at Manso Bonteso in the Ashanti Region has left at least 15 people dead following a fierce shootout between police officers and suspected illegal miners, commonly referred to as galamsey operators.

According to preliminary reports, the violence erupted late on Wednesday after members of the Ghana Police Service’s anti-galamsey task force moved into the area to seize several excavators allegedly being used for illegal mining activities along protected riverbanks and forest reserves. Eyewitnesses claim the operation was met with stiff resistance from armed miners, sparking a chaotic exchange of gunfire.

Sources on the ground say the task force had earlier impounded multiple excavators and other heavy machinery as part of an ongoing nationwide clampdown on illegal mining. The presence of the officers reportedly angered the miners, many of whom accused the police of targeting their livelihoods without offering alternative solutions.

What began as verbal confrontations quickly escalated into an armed clash. Witnesses reported hearing continuous gunfire, forcing residents to flee for safety. By the time the shooting subsided, bodies of at least 15 people were said to be lying at the scene, with several others sustaining critical injuries. The injured were rushed to nearby health facilities for emergency treatment.

Police sources confirmed the fatalities but stressed that their officers were attacked first by heavily armed individuals protecting the mining sites. They argue that the use of force was in self-defense, aimed at safeguarding the lives of law enforcement personnel during the operation.

The Manso Bonteso incident has since sparked tension in the area, with fears of possible reprisal attacks by miners and their supporters. Security has been heightened, with additional reinforcements deployed to maintain calm and prevent further escalation.

Illegal mining remains one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental and security challenges. Despite repeated government crackdowns, galamsey operations continue to thrive in remote communities, often backed by influential networks and armed groups. These operations have been blamed for severe destruction of rivers, farmlands, and forest reserves, as well as contributing to violent confrontations with security forces.

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has announced that investigations into the shootout are underway to determine the exact sequence of events and to identify those responsible for the violence. Human rights organizations are already calling for an independent probe, warning that excessive use of force by security agencies could further inflame tensions.

For now, Manso Bonteso remains under heavy security surveillance, as families of victims demand justice while authorities insist they will not relent in the fight against illegal mining.

Click here to watch full video.