The Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, has denied allegations that he incited residents of Hwidiem to attack members of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) taskforce during a disturbance in the Ahafo Region on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
His statement follows reports from the Ghana Police Service that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to take over the probe into the attack on the NAIMOS Director of Operations and his team at Hwidiem.
The police account indicates that the NAIMOS team was attacked by a mob while handing over suspects and seized items to the Hwidiem Police Station. Vehicles were damaged during the chaos, and the police alleged that Hon. Addo had led a group that demanded the release of the arrested miners.
In a press release issued on Monday, November 3, 2025, the MP said his actions on the day were aimed at restoring calm, not provoking conflict. He explained that he only intervened after learning about tensions between residents and the military taskforce conducting operations in the Asutifi South Constituency.
“Upon reaching Hwidiem, I realized there was tension in town, so I inquired and was told there was a military operation going on at a gold extraction site,” Addo stated. “The only advice I could give was for us to move to the police station to officially make a statement and subsequently hand over items and suspects to the police to calm tensions.”
He said his intervention was done in consultation with Collins Dauda, the MP for Asutifi South, who was out of the country at the time. Addo explained that he contacted Mr. Dauda after learning of the operation, and was asked to visit the site to help mediate.
The MP further noted that he worked with security officials—including the Regional Police Crime Officer, the Kenyasi Police Commander, and the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem—to defuse the situation. “I went further to call in the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem to assist us in calming the situation, and he came,” he said.
Addo expressed disappointment that his efforts to restore order were not acknowledged in the police situation report, which instead suggested he had a role in instigating the crowd. “It is quite unfortunate that the police in their sitrep failed to acknowledge my contribution towards ensuring that calmness prevail,” he said.
“I urge the public to disregard the false narratives aimed at tarnishing my reputation and undermining my efforts to serve my constituents.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to peace and cooperation with law enforcement agencies, stating: “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.”
Hon. Addo has since dismissed those claims, saying he left Hwidiem for other engagements after ensuring that the situation was under control. “As your Member of Parliament, I want to assure you that I remain committed to the welfare and safety of the Ghanaian citizens and other State institutions,” he concluded.
The CID is currently investigating the incident.
Source:Lovinghananews.com
