Two individuals were fatally shot on Wednesday, December 31, during a police operation to disperse a protest in Abosso, near Tarkwa.

Residents had gathered to demonstrate against the alleged handover of a local gangway illegal mining site, known locally as a galamsey operation, to Chinese operators.

Police moved in to break up the gathering, during which the shooting occurred.

Louis Afful, the Deputy Director for the Prestea-Huni-Valley Municipal National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), told Accra-based Channel One News that he witnessed the incident.

He confirmed that two people were shot and their bodies have been transported to the morgue at Tarkwa Government Hospital.

When contacted for an official statement, the Western Central Regional Police Command in Tarkwa acknowledged the reports but said the incident has not yet been formally confirmed by their authorities. An investigation is anticipated as details continue to emerge.