The Ahafo Region branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has jumped to the defence of two members of Parliament (MPs) accused of inciting violence in Hwidiem last Saturday.
According to the Regional Communications Director, Alfred Aboagye, Alhaji Collins Dauda and Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, MPs for Asutifi South and Asutifi North respectively, rather wanted to de-escalate the situation.
Addressing the press on Tuesday, November 4, Mr Aboagye said the Asutifi North MP was on his way to a funeral in Acherensua when he bumped into the situation.
Even that, the NDC Communications Director continues, the MP called his colleague, Alhaji Dauda, who made further phone calls to the Director of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
“Hon. Ebenezer Addo, accompanied by his Constituency Vice Chairman and his driver, quickly went to the scene of the operation,” the Communications Director narrated.
“Realizing the volatility of the situation, he again contacted Hon. Collins Dauda, who in turn spoke directly to the Director of NAIMOS.
“Hon. Addo then addressed the crowd with the sole intention of restoring calm. His intervention ultimately led to both parties, NAIMOS officials and the other group, being escorted to the Hwidiem Police Station for safety and further engagement.”
The party was responding to reports by Multimedia journalist Erastus Asare Donkor, who had said in an interview that the Asutifi North MP incited the youth against NAIMOS officials.
The party says it is impossible for the MP to organize 600 thugs as claimed by the journalist.
“We therefore call on the appropriate authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident to establish the facts and restore the reputations of the two Members of Parliament.”