The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has responded to the clash between its officers and persons believed to be illegal miners at the Anglo Gold Ashanti mines in Obuasi which led to the death of nine persons.

In a statement issued on Sunday, January 19, GAF in explaining the circumstances which led to the deadly clash, said the miners first attacked its officers and fired at them after the officers prevented them from accessing the Deep Decline of the Anglo Gold Ashanti mines.

According to GAF, the miners wielded weapons such as locally manufactured rifles, pump action guns, gas cylinders, knives, heavy duty industrial bolt cutters, axes and machetes. "On Saturday 18 January 2025 at about 2300 hours (11:00 pm), illegal miners numbering about 60 breached the Anglo Gold Ashanti mines security fence and intruded at Cote D'or Ramp.

The aim of the illegal miners was to enter the Deep Decline of the mines. "The military patrol deployed on Operation HALT II duties at the mentioned location were fired upon by the illegal miners when the soldiers tried to stop them from accessing the Deep Decline," GAF said.