Ghana urges probe into Chinese teenager's death

A mining association in Ghana has called for a probe into the death of a Chinese teenager at a mine in southern Ashanti region.

The 16-year-old was said to have been shot dead by security personnel during a crackdown on suspected illegal gold mining at Mpatasie, some 70 km southwest of the regional capital Kumasi, more than one week ago.

During the crackdown, 101 Chinese miners were detained for suspected illegal gold mining. They were all freed on bail as of Wednesday night.

Addressing a press conference at Manso-Nkwanta on Thursday, Akwasi Abu, chairman of the Amansie West Small-Scale Mining Association, said money, vehicles, refrigerators and other assets seized from the miners should also be returned.

He dismissed claims that the Chinese were mining illegally, insisting that members of the association legitimately owned the concessions and had invited the Chinese.

Anybody who had any doubts about the legality or otherwise of the presence of the Chinese at the mining sites, Abu said, ought to check with the concession owners.

The Chinese adopted modern mining technology, making it easier for reclamation of mined areas, he said, praising China's contribution in job creation and crime reduction in the district.