A recent assault on a police patrol team in the Bani community of the Upper East Region has raised fresh alarm over the rising insecurity associated with gold mining activities. The four officers were attacked near the worksite of Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited, resulting in gunshot injuries to three of them. The wounds, inflicted in the stomach, thigh and knee areas, have heightened the community’s fears.
Reacting to the situation, the Alliance for Gbane Development convened a press event, stressing that the attack reflects a deepening crisis that demands swift intervention. The group insisted that security around mining locations has become dangerously inadequate despite repeated warnings.
Their concerns echo issues raised during an earlier press engagement, where the Alliance revealed that gold miners and residents are frequently targeted by armed gangs. Criminals reportedly mount ambushes along the road used by workers returning from mine sites, especially after operations shut down for the day. The community believes the presence of large-scale miners such as Cardinal Namdini and Earl International has inadvertently attracted criminal groups seeking to exploit gold movements.
After initial complaints, regional authorities dispatched ten more officers to strengthen security, bringing the total number of personnel to sixteen. Despite the reinforcement, the latest attack shows that the officers remain vulnerable while patrolling on motorbikes. The Alliance is therefore urging the mining companies to supply two dedicated patrol vehicles to support security forces, noting that motorbikes are unsuitable for confronting heavily armed robbers.
They are also requesting increased manpower and advising residents to limit travel during late hours. While acknowledging the Regional Police Commander’s quick reaction to the crisis, the community remains unsettled. According to the Alliance, the fact that robbers can launch an assault on armed officers reveals the severity of the threat faced by ordinary citizens. Backed by traditional rulers, the group is intensifying calls for collective action to safeguard lives and ensure miners can work safely.
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