By Emmanuel Fletcher 
A highly controversial anti-galamsey operation in the Eastern Region has triggered massive outrage across the country. The National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association of Ghana has officially demanded the immediate suspension of a military officer who was captured on video shooting an unarmed man at Kyebi Zongo.
The violent confrontation occurred on Saturday, July 11, 2026, during an anti-illegal mining raid conducted by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat. The shocking footage has renewed the intense national debate regarding how state security forces handle civilian interactions during environmental law enforcement duties.
The association released an official press statement on Sunday, July 12, 2026, signed by its president, Michael Kwadwo Peprah. The small-scale miners made it completely clear that while they absolutely condemn illegal galamsey activities, the use of deadly firearms against civilians is totally unacceptable.
A careful look at the viral video reveals that the soldier involved was not facing any imminent danger that required firing a live bullet. In fact, the victim appeared to be entirely unarmed and was actually trying his best to calm down the angry crowd rather than inciting any form of violence against the security team.
The tension originally boiled over in the Abuakwa South Municipality because the local miners felt targeted by the state operatives. Information gathered from the ground indicates that the youth blocked the main access road to the mining site to prevent the joint military and police team from entering.
The aggrieved miners heavily accused the security personnel of favoritism and selective enforcement. They argued that the officers intentionally bypassed several active illegal mining sites in the community only to target their specific location, sparking an immediate and chaotic stand-off.
The confrontation took a bloody turn when security forces opened fire, hitting one man directly in the leg. The wounded victim was rushed to the Kibi Government Hospital, where medical staff are currently treating him for his injuries.
The miners association notes that several heavily armed officers were standing at the scene, proving that the situation could have been handled without bloodshed. They referenced past tragic anti-galamsey operations, such as a fatal shooting in Obuasi, as clear reminders of why security personnel must always exercise absolute professionalism.
The association has formally appealed to the Ghana Armed Forces to interdict the specific soldier to maintain public trust while a transparent investigation takes place. They insist that the fight against illegal mining must always respect basic human rights and protect human lives above all else.
The leadership of the miners has expressed deep sympathy to the victim’s family and urged the general public to remain completely calm. Moving forward, the state must ensure that its anti-galamsey operations are guided strictly by due process rather than raw force.
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