Tensions are high in the Manso Akwasiso community in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region, where residents accuse military personnel of chasing a 20-year-old miner into a galamsey pit, leading to his death.

The deceased, known as Evans, was confirmed dead on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

According to witnesses, other miners attempted to rescue Evans after he fell into the pit, but the soldiers stopped them by firing warning shots.

The Assembly Member for the area, Nsiah Kesse, confirmed the incident to Adom news reporter Kwadwo Obeng Mireku, saying the soldiers' actions were unacceptable.

"The boys around could have saved him, yet the military stopped them, overseeing his death," he said.

The Assembly member further alleged that the military men, who are supervising a reclamation exercise at Manso Nyankomase, have been extorting money from miners in the area.

"They usually move from site to site, taking money from both legal and illegal miners, and it sometimes takes a different turn when the miners fail to yield to their demands," he said.

He added that the situation has caused major tension in the area, calling on authorities to investigate the actions of the soldiers.

Nsiah Kesse observed that the military officers arrived in three pickups. The miners, upon seeing them, fled but one of them ended up in the pit, resulting in his death.