Asutifi North MP denies inciting youth against NAIMOS taskforce
The Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, has kicked against what he describes as false narratives surrounding his involvement in a recent standoff between residents and a National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) taskforce in the Asutifi South constituency.
According to him, reports of his alleged manner of involvement in the violent confrontation, are inaccurate and do not reflect the truth of the November 1 incident.
In a press release dated November 3, the MP firmly denied allegations of inciting violence and argued that he only acted as a mediator to de-escalate tensions during the incident.
The controversy stems from an operation by a military taskforce, deployed on a National Assignment at a gold extraction site near Hwidiem. According to Hon. Addo, he became involved after chancing upon the standoff while en route to a funeral in Acherensua.
The statement noted that upon noticing tension in Hwidiem, he contacted the area’s MP, Hon. Collins Dauda, who was out of the country. Hon. Dauda reportedly requested that Addo proceed to the site to help establish communication with the military team.
“Upon reaching the site with my constituency Vice Chairman and driver, I introduced myself to the leader and asked that he speaks to the person on the phone,” the MP stated.
Faced with a growing crowd of youth, Hon. Addo advised that all parties move to the local police station to formally record statements and hand over any seized items or suspects to the police. This, he said, was a measure to calm tensions.
He further detailed how he enlisted the help of the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem to assist in calming the crowds. After procedures at the station were complete, the Zongo Chief volunteered to transport the military personnel in his personal vehicle after their pickup truck was reportedly vandalized.
The MP expressed deep disappointment that a subsequent police situation report (sitrep) failed to acknowledge his efforts.
“It is quite unfortunate that the police in their sitrep failed to acknowledge my contribution towards ensuring that calmness prevail,” the statement added, and further denied any malicious intent by his involvement.
“I wish to state that under no circumstance will I incite the youth against security officers and any government planned agenda. As a responsible lawmaker, I offered my support to ensure there is calmness in the area and will always work together with every security agency to maintain law and order,” he said.
The Asutifi North MP urged the public to disregard reports tarnishing his reputation and reaffirmed his dedication to the welfare and safety of his constituents and all Ghanaians.
See Full Statement Below:
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