The Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, has denied claims that he incited young people during an encounter between residents and a military team from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat in Hwidiem on Saturday [November 1, 2025].
In a press statement dated November 3, 2025, Mr Addo said he felt obliged to respond to what he described as reports misrepresenting his conduct during the incident involving residents of Asutifi South and the security team on duty.
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According to Mr Addo, he was travelling to a funeral at Acherensua in the Asutifi South Constituency on November 1 when he contacted Mr Collins Dauda, the MP for Asutifi South, to check if they could attend together. Mr Addo said Mr Dauda informed him that he was out of the country and asked him to represent him.
Mr Addo said that when he arrived in Hwidiem, he realised there was tension in the area and was informed that a military operation was underway at a gold extraction site.
He said he called Mr Dauda again to brief him, and Mr Dauda asked him to visit the location because an Assembly member who had been sent earlier was struggling to communicate with the security personnel.
“When I reached the site with my constituency vice chairman and driver, I introduced myself to the leader and asked that he speak to the person on the phone,” the statement said.
Mr Addo said he observed some young people gathering around the location and advised them to proceed to the police station to officially make a statement.
He added that he encouraged the handing over of seized items and suspects to the police as a way to reduce tension.
He said that when they reached the police station, they realised the main road had been blocked, restricting the movement of vehicles.
“Together with the military, Regional Police Crime Officer, NIB operatives and the Kenyasi Police Commander, we all remained in the police charge office while statements were being taken,” Mr Addo explained.
He said he also contacted the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem to assist with restoring calm.
According to him, after items had been handed over to the Regional Crime Officer, the Zongo Chief offered his vehicle to transport the military officers, since their pick-up truck had been tampered with and its rear windscreen smashed.
Mr Addo said he later continued to funerals at Ntotroso, Gyedu and Wamahinso.
He insisted that he never acted in a manner that would encourage hostility toward security officers.
“I wish to state that under no circumstance will I incite the youth against security officers and any government planned agenda,” he said.
He described himself as a responsible lawmaker who supported efforts to calm the situation and said he will continue to work with all security agencies to maintain law and order.
“It is quite unfortunate that the police in their sitrep failed to acknowledge my contribution towards ensuring that calmness prevail,” he said.
Mr Addo called on the public to disregard “false narratives aimed at tarnishing my reputation and undermining my efforts to serve my constituents”.
He said he remains devoted to the welfare and safety of citizens.
The Ghana Police Service has invited Mr Addo to assist with investigations into the incident. The Inspector-General of Police has directed the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters to take over the probe.
