Six Arrested Including Three Chinese Nationals Over Fatal Shooting at Galamsey Site in Gwira Ampansie

Six people, including three Chinese nationals, have been arrested by the Western Regional Police Command in connection with the fatal shooting of a 45-year-old man at an illegal mining site in Gwira Ampansie, in the Nzema East District of the Western Region.

The deceased, identified as Angu Mensah, an Abusuapanyi of Gwira Ampansie, was allegedly shot in the chest during a misunderstanding at the galamsey site on Sunday afternoon. He was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

According to a police statement, personnel at Axim received a distress call at about 1:20 p.m. on Sunday reporting a shooting incident at the mining site. A team from the Axim Police Command, together with officers from the Regional Police Intelligence Directorate, proceeded to the scene to investigate.

Preliminary findings indicated that at about 11:45 a.m., a dispute broke out between Angu Mensah and several individuals at the site. During the confrontation, one Alfred Sadick, also known as “Strong Man,” allegedly shot him in the chest.

Those arrested have been named as Hamza Abubakar, 36, Hamidu Seidu, 42, Francis Biewose, 26, and three Chinese nationals: Bai Yaozheng, 36, Liu Gang, 43, and Wen Xien Wen, 45. All six are in police custody and are assisting with investigations.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Axim Government Hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

Alfred Sadick, the suspected shooter, remains at large. The Western Regional Police Command has appealed to the public to provide any credible information on his whereabouts, urging people to contact the Regional Police Command or the Axim Police to assist in his arrest.

The incident adds to a long and violent catalogue of deaths linked to illegal small-scale mining in Ghana. Galamsey operations, which often involve both Ghanaian and foreign nationals, have been associated with widespread environmental destruction, community displacement, and periodic outbreaks of violence. The presence of Chinese nationals among those arrested underscores the international dimension of the illegal mining trade that has proven difficult for authorities to dismantle despite repeated enforcement operations.

Image Source: GHANAIAN TIMES