Two people are feared dead after police intervention during a protest at Abosso near Tarkwa in the Western Region on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
The incident occurred as residents demonstrated against the alleged transfer of a gangway illegal mining (galamsey) site to Chinese operators. The protest reportedly escalated when police moved in to disperse the crowd.
The Western Central Regional Police Command in Tarkwa revealed that the deaths had not yet been officially confirmed as of the time of reporting.
However, the Deputy Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) for the Prestea-Huni-Valley Municipality, Louis Afful, said he personally witnessed the shooting.
“This morning a Police Patrol Squad came to town to fire warning shots. As I speak, two people have lost their lives. The community members have also blocked the road,” he told Accra-based Channel One News.
According to Mr. Afful, the bodies of the two victims have been transported to the Tarkwa Government Hospital mortuary. Tension remains high in the area, with residents reportedly mounting roadblocks as anger and fear spread through the community.
Police investigations are expected to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, as calls grow for clarity and accountability over the use of force during the protest.
