Hamile explosion: Muntaka urges chiefs, elders to calm agitated youth

The incident has triggered a confrontation between some youth in the Upper West Region township and security personnel, particularly officers of the Ghana Immigration Service stationed there.

Addressing Parliament on the incident, Mr Muntaka urged community leaders to engage the youth and exercise restraint to prevent further escalation.

“I want to make a passionate appeal to the chiefs, elders and opinion leaders in Hamile and its environs to continue to talk to the youth and exercise restraint to enable cool heads to prevail,” he said.

Preliminary reports indicate that the explosion occurred when Immigration officers pursued three suspected smugglers allegedly transporting goods towards Burkina Faso.

The group reportedly comprised two teenagers travelling on a motor tricycle and an elderly man riding a motorbike ahead of them.

During the pursuit, gunfire allegedly struck items believed to be explosives on the tricycle, triggering a powerful blast.

The explosion reportedly killed the teenagers and an Immigration officer instantly. A second Immigration officer sustained critical injuries, while the elderly suspect also suffered serious injuries. Both were taken to Nandom Hospital for treatment.

Mr Muntaka conveyed the government’s condolences to the family, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased officer, while wishing the injured officer a successful recovery.

“On behalf of the government, I extend our heartfelt sympathies once again to the family, colleagues and loved ones of the late officer. May they find strength and comfort in this difficult period,” he told Parliament.

He assured the families of the officers that their service and sacrifices were valued.

Meanwhile, the government has imposed a daily curfew from 6pm to 5am on Hamile as authorities respond to the tensions following the incident.