Information reaching Citi News from Obuasi indicates that the Head of Communications for Anglogold Ashanti (AGA), met his untimely death today [Saturday] February 6, after he was run over by a company car in an attempt to escape from some illegal miners who attacked him and his colleagues.
The deceased and other AGA officials, had gone to one of their mining sites taken over by illegal miners; but violence erupted as the miners chased them and hurled stones at them.
While the staff were fleeing from the scene, the deceased was reportedly run over by a vehicle.
It is however unclear if he fell off from his vehicle or he was hit and run over by another vehicle.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for the area, and the Police Commander are locked up in a meeting with the management of AGA over the matter.
Anglogold Officials say their concessions have been inundated by illegal miners who are violent in their approach putting the lives of their workers including their security personnel at risk.
The acting Head of Operations at Anglogold, Fred Nsarko, told Citi News the situation is so bad that even the re-enforced security taskforce charged to protect them were left overwhelmed by the illegal miners, who attacked them without provocation.
Mr. Nsarko said the police made no attempt to defend the Anglo Gold workers with their guns or water cannons.
According to him, the police explained that the decision not to react was strategic.
“The police explained it and what they said is that , they were looking at their numbers and the number on the other side, which is the illegal miners, they think that they had to be strategic in dealing with the issue. They were also looking at how they can position themselves strategically and deal with the situation,” Mr Nsarko added.
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By Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana