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Galamsey clashes could trigger 'civil war' - Dr. Aning

 

"Across this country, we think the fulani case was a big problem. I can tell you the galamsey is going to be like civil war because they are heavily armed, they destroy the environment, they pay money and they are willing to rise and fight for what they do," Dr. Anin said on Accra-based Citi FM.

His comments come on the back of recent clashes in Obuasi in the Ashanti region between illegal miners and some staff of AngloGold Ashanti (AGA), resulting in the death of the Communications Director of the company,Mr John Owusu.

Some churches and a mosque have reportedly been attacked in clashes at old Tafo in Kumasi in the Ashanti region.

This was after some residents of the Muslim community at Tafo in Kumasi on February 10, 2016, clashed with some loyalists of the Tafo traditional council over disagreements on a piece of land at the Tafo cemetery, killing two people and injuring many.

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Already, there have been reported cases of clashes in Bunkprugu where the Jamong family, which is claiming title to the Bunkpurugu skin, has come under attack from the ruling Jafog family.

These wake of clashes, Dr. Anin believes requires a collaborative engagement between community members and security agencies about how to better protect themselves.

"More often than not, security agencies have to struggle to get access to information. But were they to stretch out their hand and say, look we need to engage, can you engage, can you ask the frontline people in your community, can you share things with us so we can respond?", Dr. Anin stated.

He however refuted claims that the various clashes reported could be related to the upcoming November polls.

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