‘I ONLY INTERVENED TO CALM TENSIONS’ — Asutifi North MP Clarifies Role in Hwidiem Military Attack
Ebenezer Kwaku Addo Disputes Police Account, Insists His Actions Were to De-escalate Clash Between Residents and Anti-Galamsey Task Force
The Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, has issued a public statement clarifying his involvement in the violent confrontation between residents of Hwidiem and a state anti-illegal mining task force, asserting that his intervention was solely aimed at calming tensions.
The MP’s statement, released on November 3, 2025, comes in response to a police report that alleged he incited a mob that subsequently attacked security personnel and besieged a police station.
Narrating his version of the events from November 1, Mr. Addo explained he was en route to a funeral in a different constituency when he received information about a tense situation in Hwidiem. He stated that he was contacted by the absent MP for that area, Collins Dauda, and asked to visit the site to assess the situation.
“At the site, I saw some youth gathering, so I advised that we move to the police station to officially make a statement and hand over any suspects to the police to calm tensions,” the MP said in his statement.
He detailed that upon arriving at the Hwidiem Police Station, he found the main road blocked. He claimed he worked collaboratively with security officials and even called the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem to help pacify the agitated crowd, which he said was successful.
Contrasting Narratives
The MP’s account directly contrasts with the official police statement on the incident. The police had alleged that the MP arrived at the scene with a group and demanded the release of suspects arrested by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) task force.
When his demand was refused, the police reported, a mob forcibly freed the suspects, chased the task force away, and later, a group of about 600 people besieged the Hwidiem Police Station. The mob was accused of vandalizing vehicles, damaging the police station, and attempting to set it on fire.
In his rebuttal, Mr. Addo made no mention of demanding the release of suspects. Instead, he reaffirmed his commitment to peace, stating his actions were intended “solely to help defuse tension and prevent any escalation.” The conflicting accounts highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding anti-galamsey operations in local communities.
Source:NKONKONSA.com
