One person has been confirmed dead and six others, including a chief, are receiving treatment after a shooting involving suspected illegal miners at Asawinso “A” in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region.

The incident occurred when the chief of Sefwi Asawinso “A”, Nana Kwasi Ayim II, accompanied by youths from the community, visited the Afao Hill Forest Reserve to inspect reported illegal mining activities.

According to the Assembly Member for the Asawinso “A” electoral area, Frank Nelson Ackah, the chief and the youths went to assess the extent of destruction caused by the miners.

The Assembly Member recounted that, when they were returning from the site, they were ambushed by well‑built men.

He confirmed that during the incident a 36‑year‑old man, identified as Kwame Ayisi, was shot dead, while six others, including the chief, sustained serious gunshot wounds.

“There’s gunshots in the Asawinso here and the chief who came from abroad got a tip‑off that some gentlemen are doing illegal mining in the forest at Asawinso.

“So there are some gentlemen who mostly go with him and they went there to sack the gentlemen so when they got there and the Adotenhene from Beposo came to intervene that he’s part of the illegal mining so they should come home to settle it.

“And as they were on their way coming and they saw gentlemen with guns and cutlasses from nowhere and, as you know, it has confirmed that one is dead through the shooting,” he recounted.

He cited that, several of the injured were rushed to the Anhwiaso Community Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.