The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, has issued a strong statement clarifying his presence and actions during a chaotic confrontation between residents of Hwidiem and a military task force from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS). Mr. Addo maintains that his intervention was solely aimed at calming volatile tensions and preventing a situation that could have resulted in serious harm.
The MP’s Account of Events
The incident, which occurred in the Ahafo Region on Saturday, November 1, 2025, has drawn intense national scrutiny, especially after a mob allegedly besieged the Hwidiem Police Station.
A Call to Action: According to a statement released by the MP, he was traveling to a funeral when he was informed about a serious disturbance involving military personnel at a gold extraction site near Bronikrom. He claimed that after consulting with his colleague, the MP for Asutifi South, he was asked to proceed to the site to assess the situation.
Facilitating De-escalation: Mr. Addo stated that upon arriving at the site, where military officers were present, he observed a gathering of youth. Recognizing the high potential for a violent clash, he recommended that the security team and any apprehended individuals move immediately to the Hwidiem Police Station to formally make a statement and hand over the suspects. This, he argued, was a necessary move to diffuse the rising tension among the community members.
Working with Local Leadership: The MP further explained that once at the police station, a large, angry crowd had already surrounded the area. He then contacted the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem to assist in controlling the mob. The Zongo Chief was subsequently instrumental in helping to safely evacuate the military team after their vehicle was reportedly vandalized. Mr. Addo insists his role was that of a representative acting to ensure peace and protect all parties involved.
Police Allegations and CID Takeover
The MP's narrative stands in direct contrast to claims made by the Ghana Police Service regarding his actions.
Obstruction Claims: The police have alleged that when the NAIMOS team was preparing to transfer the arrested illegal miners and seized items to the Hwidiem Police Station, the MP arrived at the scene with a group of men and forcefully demanded the release of the suspects. The police further claim that when this demand was refused, the group facilitated the removal of handcuffs from the suspects, chasing the NAIMOS team from the location. Furthermore, the police statement alleged that the MP incited a subsequent mob of about 600 people who besieged the police station, vandalized vehicles, and even threatened to burn down the building.
High-Level Investigation: Given the severity of the allegations, which include inciting a mob and obstructing a national anti-galamsey operation, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters to take over the investigation. The police have formally invited Mr. Addo to assist with the ongoing probe into the incident. The NAIMOS Director of Operations, Colonel Dominic Buah, has described the attack as "bloody," suggesting the team narrowly escaped severe harm.
This incident has amplified the national debate over the resistance faced by security forces in the fight against illegal mining ("galamsey") and the alleged involvement of powerful figures in protecting these activities. The outcome of the CID investigation will be critical in establishing the verifiable facts and determining the accountability for the violent confrontation.
Source: The information for this article is based on the statement released by the Asutifi North MP and subsequent reports from news agencies, including Citi Newsroom, MyJoyOnline, and GBC Ghana Online, concerning the Hwidiem military-civilian clash.