Axim, Western Region –
– In escalation of violence tied to illegal small-scale mining, or “galamsey,” notorious gang leader Kwame Ato Asare Ani was critically injured in a savage ambush by a rival faction in Dompim-Pepesa. The brutal attack, which occurred late Saturday evening, has heightened fears over the growing influence of armed groups battling for control of lucrative mining sites in Ghana’s Western Region.
Eyewitnesses reported a chaotic scene on the outskirts of Dompim-Pepesa, a known galamsey hotspot near Axim, where Ani, aged 23 and a feared leader of a galamsey syndicate, was attacked by a dozen assailants armed with machetes, clubs, and makeshift weapons. The clash, believed to stem from disputes over prime galamsey concessions, left Ani with multiple stab wounds, severe lacerations, and suspected internal injuries. He was rushed to Axim Government Hospital, where he remains in critical condition under intensive care as of Sunday morning.
“This was a planned attack, not a random fight,” said a local resident, speaking anonymously due to fear of retaliation. “These gangs are fighting over gold-rich territory. Kwame thought he was untouchable, but his enemies got to him.” The assault follows Ani’s infamous 2023 attack on an Axim District Police patrol, during which his gang disarmed officers, stole their weapons, and forced them to kneel in a humiliating spectacle that exposed the lawlessness plaguing the region’s mining sector.
Ani, also known as “Kwame Ani,” was arrested in April 2023 with three accomplices—Williams Kwofie, Richard Kwesi, and Emmanuel Kojo Bronie—after a manhunt led police to a hideout near Enchi in the Western North Region. Charged with robbery, assault on public officers, and illegal firearm possession, the group faced scrutiny after police recovered three pump-action shotguns from Ani’s residence. Ani’s claims of police extortion sparked an investigation, but his release on bail later that year allowed him to reportedly resume galamsey operations, evading full prosecution.
The Western Regional Police Command condemned the violence and promised a robust response. “This incident highlights the dangerous link between galamsey and organized crime,” a police spokesperson said Sunday. “We are increasing patrols in Dompim-Pepesa and surrounding areas, and our intelligence units are working to dismantle these criminal networks. No one is above the law.” No arrests have been made in connection with the attack, though Ani’s hospitalization may aid efforts to pursue outstanding charges.
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The clash underscores the ongoing crisis of galamsey, which has ravaged Ghana’s environment and fueled violent crime. Community leaders and environmentalists warn that without stronger enforcement of the 2022 small-scale mining ban, such conflicts will escalate, threatening lives and ecosystems. “Galamsey is turning our youth into criminals and our communities into war zones,” said Nana Kwabena, a traditional leader in Axim.
As Ani clings to life, Dompim-Pepesa remains tense, with schools and markets closed amid fears of retaliatory violence. The incident is a stark reminder of the deadly stakes in Ghana’s illegal gold trade, where greed and desperation often end in bloodshed. The Western Regional Police Command is expected to provide further updates as investigations continue.