A group of armed illegal miners, often known as galamseyers, attacked Golden Star Wassa Limited’s (GSWL) employees and offices on March 16, 2023, in Benso, in the Western Region. The armed men set fire to vehicles, including an ambulance that served both the community and employees. This information was provided in a press release signed by Mr. Gerard Boakye, Group Corporate Affairs Manager, and forwarded to the Tarkwa bureau of the Ghana News Agency (GNA).
The statement claims that the group also set fire to a portion of Benso’s administrative building and that some company employees were hurt as a result of the attack.
“The attack follows a peaceful engagement and exercise by security officers of GSWL to drive off illegal miners who had encroached on one of GSWL’s mining pits at Benso” the statement said. It added that, “the illegal miners left the area after initially being asked to, only to remobilize and come back to clash with security personnel of GSWL. Our employees at the scene were immediately evacuated to safety, and those injured were given medical attention and discharged”.
The statement said that all other stakeholders had been informed of the situation and that a formal complaint had been made to the security agencies. It went on to say that updates will be given as the investigation carried on.
