The Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, has denied allegations that he instigated the violent confrontation between residents of Hwidiem and members of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) task force in the Ahafo Region.
In a statement issued on November 3, 2025, the MP described his role in the incident as purely mediatory, saying he only intervened to defuse tensions after receiving reports of a standoff between locals and military officers conducting anti-galamsey operations.
Mr. Addo said he was on his way to a funeral when he was informed about the unrest and decided to visit the scene after consulting Hon. Collins Dauda, the MP for Asutifi South. Upon arrival, he said he identified himself to the security officers and urged them to work with local leaders to restore calm.
He explained that he later joined the military, police, and other local authorities at the Hwidiem Police Station to help manage the situation. He also invited the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem to assist in pacifying the crowd, which eventually helped bring the tensions under control.
Mr. Addo insisted his actions were in good faith and intended to prevent violence, rejecting claims that he led or encouraged any mob. His comments come after police reports alleged that the MP had incited a crowd to free arrested illegal miners, leading to vandalism at the Hwidiem Police Station.
