The Member of Parliament for Tano North, Gideon Boako, is calling for the Ghana Police and the Military to protect the rights of individuals arrested during the recent joint military-police swoop.
According to him, the manner in which the security operation was carried out has raised serious concerns among residents, families and local leaders.
On the dawn of November 12, the Ghana Armed Forces and Police Service carried out simultaneous swoops in the Ahafo, Ashanti and Volta regions following recent violent attacks by illegal miners.
Speaking to reporters on November 14, the MP said, “I’m worried at the manner in which the military swoop operation took place in the Ahafo region.”
“We’ve had thousands and even 100s of people whose houses have been invaded, they have been taken away from the region to somewhere in Ashanti region,” he said.
Dr. Boako noted that those affected did not have the right or luxury of time to even prepare for the move to a different region.
“I am calling on the Ghana Military service to ensure that the rights of those individuals who were moved from Ahafo Region to Ashanti under the operation to ensure that galamsey activities do not happen, are given proper and rightful treatment such that their rights will not be violated.”
The MP had also earlier issued a statement in which he condemned the manner of the arrests and insisted that every individual detained must undergo transparent and prompt investigations to establish culpability, if any.
Meanwhile, families of some detainees maintain that many people have been wrongfully arrested.
About 300 suspects were transported to Kumasi, arraigned before court, and subsequently remanded for two weeks.
Residents say the sweep caused panic, with many pleading innocence but being ignored by officers.
Some residents from Dadwen claim the military confused their community on the Kumasi–Obuasi stretch with another Dadwen near Obuasi–Dunkwa, where illegal miners had recently attacked an EPA and journalist team.
Speaking to a Joy News reporter, a distraught resident recounted, “My sisters husband was using the washroom when they entered. He didn’t even wipe before they used something to hit his back and forced him up. He did not wipe.”
Families are pleading for the release of those they believe were wrongfully detained.
