By Heba Girgis
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

ACCRA, Ghana—Today, police in Ghana began investigating the death of a young Chinese boy who was killed during a security crackdown of illegal gold mining in Ghana. The security officials arrested approximately 100 Chinese nationals in Ghana during a round-up in the Ashanti region of Ghana which is rich in gold and near Ghana’s second largest city of Kumasi. These Chinese nationals remain detained in Ghana. The Ghanaian military argue that the death was an accident, but that further investigation is under way.

Chris Kpodo, Ambassador of Ghana said, “We have received reports about the death of a 16-year-old boy of Chinese nationality. It is regrettable, and the government has ordered an investigation into the incident.” He also noted, “We will be granting the ambassador (of China) a diplomatic access to visit the detainees and speak with them.”

Any Chinese men and women in poor health have been released on bail. The rest of the individuals who were arrested were given water and medicine and provided with health checks.

In the past year, there have been many incidents of Chinese citizens being detained and arrested for illegal gold mining. The Ghanaian security officials have just recently vamped up their efforts in cracking down on these types of activities.

Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Gong Jianzhong, said last month that many Chinese miners are also victims. They lack poor paperwork and therefore become trapped in Ghana by local agents and mine owners. Jianzhong hopes that Ghana can solve this problem at its root rather than only arresting illegal Chinese miners and possible killing some of them.

According to Ghanaian law, foreign companies in Ghana are only allowed to work independently in certain large and open-pit mines. Dai Yan, the former counselor to Ghana, noted that China is not a colonizer “as the West has historically been, and mining cooperation is supposed to be mutually beneficial as Ghana is rich in resources and China can provide technology, equipment and funding.” He also added that this type of cooperation may work to expand job creation.

The Chinese Embassy has now called on all Chinese nationals in Ghana to fully abide by Ghanaian related laws and regulations in order to safeguard and protect their own interests.

 

For further information, please see:

China Daily – Ghana Detains 100 Chinese for Illegal Mining – 14 October 2012

Global Times – Ghana Killing Protested – 14 October 2012

Reuters – Ghana Investigating Death of Chinese Boy During Miner Round-Up – 14 October 2012

Updated News – Ghana Investigating Death of Chinese Boy During Miner Round-Up – 14 October 2012