Following a conflict among the community about who has the right to carry out customary ceremonies, two people are now being admitted while three others have had their gunshot wounds treated and discharged.
Others suffered cuts and bruises from machete attacks and stone pelting when youths of Bibiani in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality in the Western North region stopped a delegation from the Anhwiaso Traditional Area from carrying out customary rituals at the River Mensin to clear the way for Asante Gold Corporation, a large-scale mining company, to begin operations in the area.
The child
The young people claimed they did not understand why ceremonies should be performed by a traditional leader from another section of the traditional territory when there is already a chief in the region.
The young people from Bibiani contended that they would not be hired by the business if the rites were carried out by those from Anhwiaso.
The challenge rapidly turned into an altercation between the youngsters and the delegation from the Anhwiaso Traditional Area, with the former adamant that the chief of Sehwi Bibiani is the only one authorised to carry out the ceremonies.
Why the protest?
Atta Owusu, one of the demonstrators, said that Asante Gold Corporation and the communities had not yet come to an agreement and committed to a roadmap before the start of operations.
"Letting the delegation from the Anhwiaso Traditional Area carry out the rite would indicate that Asante Gold Corporation had permission to operate and disregard the content of the deal that we have not yet reached," he asserted.
Atta Owusu questioned the motive behind the pistol and machete assaults and stated that their demonstration was intended to inform the authorities that the roadmap needed to be followed.
A law
ACP James Amoako Achamfour, the commander of the Bibiani Divisional Police, cautioned the youngsters that protests and demonstrations are illegal.
While protesters have the right to do so, he asserted, they must also abide by the law to protect people and property.
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