By: Akua Oteng Amponsah
A serious confrontation reportedly broke out at the Hwidiem Police Station after the arrest of suspected illegal miners found with weapons and cash.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation after allegations that the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, led a group of thugs to challenge the anti-illegal mining (galamsey) task force.
According to a report by journalist Erastus Asare Donkor, known for his investigative work on galamsey, the Director of Operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and a team of ten soldiers were on a reconnaissance mission in the Ahafo Region. The purpose of their operation was to identify a site suitable for the permanent deployment of a NAIMOS task force as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against illegal mining.
While traveling along the Goaso–Hwidiem highway, the team spotted an excavator operating near Bronikrom. They proceeded to the location and arrested several individuals actively mining. The suspects were instructed to refill the pits they had dug to prevent further environmental destruction.
“The Director then ordered one of the arrested persons to call the site owner. The first individual to arrive identified himself as a Defence Intelligence (DI) representative from the Ahafo Region.”
The alleged incident took place on Saturday, November 2, 2025.
Minutes later, the said MP, Kwaku Addo reportedly storms the scene with thugs
Erastus Donkor’s report states that while preparations were underway to transport the suspects to the Hwidiem Police Station, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, the NDC MP for Asutifi North, arrived at the scene with a group of men. He allegedly claimed he was acting on behalf of Collins Dauda, MP for Asutifi South.
Mr. Addo is said to have demanded the immediate release of the arrested suspects including a Burkinabe national and insisted that their handcuffs be removed so “locals would not see them in handcuffs.” The NAIMOS Director refused, explaining that the arrests were lawful and that due process must be followed.
However, tensions escalated when the MP and his group allegedly seized the handcuff keys from a soldier, freed the suspects, and pursued the NAIMOS team on their way to the police station.
Upon arrival, a large crowd estimated at around 600 people from Hwidiem and nearby communities surrounded the station. The mob, reportedly stirred up by the MP, demanded the release of the suspects and seized vehicles, warning that they would “discipline” the soldiers if their demands were not met.
“The situation quickly turned more violent. The Director of Operations’ Toyota Hilux pickup was vandalised, and the mob threatened to burn down the police station, even when the MP was reminded to call his mob to order. The tense standoff created a serious threat to life and property, placing immense pressure on both the Director of Operations and the police officers on duty,” Erastus further stated.
To de-escalate the situation and avoid casualties, the police, military, and local Zongo Chief agreed to hand over the vehicle keys to calm the crowd.
However, the Zongo Chief then provided his Toyota Sequoia 4×4 to help evacuate Colonel Buah, the NAIMOS Director of Operations, and his men to safety at the Newmont Site in Kenyase under police escort.
Meanwhile, the NAIMOS Director condemned the MPs’ interference, describing their actions as a serious obstruction of state operations. He stressed that all citizens especially leaders must act lawfully and support the national effort to stop illegal mining.
“NAIMOS remains poised despite the unfortunate incident and warns all galamseyers to desist from any such acts in the future. The Director of Operations reiterated that the effort to combat illegal mining will continue regardless, to help clean Ghana’s waters and forest as well as restore sanity in the mining space,” he reportedly said.
