Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the press. We appreciate your prompt response to our invitation.
The United Acherensua Youth has convened this press conference to address the misinformation and misgivings surrounding the gruesome murder of three young men and the injury of others by the Ghana Police Service.
Acherensua, a peaceful town, was thrown into mourning on the evening of Wednesday, January 8, 2025, following the tragic incident. Our community is now gripped with fear, confusion, and uncertainty.
Unfortunately, the Ghana Police Service’s official communication, released on January 9, 2025, contains inaccuracies and falsehoods. The statement claims that the victims attempted to steal gold from the Newmont mining site, which is untrue.
We take issue with the following:
- Incorrect Information: The Ghana Police Service alleges that the victims went to steal gold, despite Newmont Ghana having its own security setups and footage of activities around their gold storage facilities.
- Lack of Investigation: The Police claim to have conducted an investigation but failed to identify the victims’ hometown, Acherensua, instead stating they were from Ntotroso.
- False Claims: The Police assert that they engaged community and youth leaders, which is untrue.
- Misrepresentation: The Police incorrectly stated that all the deceased were Muslims, when in fact only one was.
We demand:
- Apologies: A formal apology from the Ghana Police Service for the serial lies told about our murdered brothers and the ridicule this has brought to our community.
- Community Engagement: More community engagements to address the matter at hand and set the records straight.
- Government Intervention: We urge the government to work with mining companies to cede their unused pits to the youths of the communities for responsible community mining.
- Police Professionalism: We call on the Ghana Police Service to infuse more professionalism into their work, avoiding attempts to please foreign companies at the expense of the local community.
For interviews or further information, please contact:
- Haruna Yakubu – 0243192700
- Bawah Yussif – 0533677193
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
