Former Member of Parliament for Kumbungu has blamed Captain Smart of Onua TV for the death of the seven illegal miners who died in a gun battle with soldiers at the AngloGold Ashanti mines.
The former lawmaker said this incident occurred because the TV host incited the residents to enter the mines of the company.
Mr. Mubarak stated that it is unfortunate the station allowed him to use their platform to incite violence.
In a Facebook post, he slammed him, saying Ghana has come a long way to allow such reckless acts in the name of journalism.
He said we should not allow thuggery and lawlessness in the country and must do everything possible to stop it.
He was reacting to the unfortunate shooting incident between soldiers and suspected illegal miners who allegedly breached the mines of the company and exchanged gunshots with the military.
He wrote ‘’Place the blame of the very unfortunate events in Obuasi squarely at the doorsteps of Onua TV which allowed its platform to be used to incite violence by one of its staff.
We’ve come a long way and must not, in the name of free speech allow media houses to be used as vessels to incite violence. We can’t live in a country with such wanton indiscipline. Thuggery and any other acts of lawlessness must have no place in the Ghana we all want. We sit aloof at our own peril.’’
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has directed that an investigation be conducted into the matter.
Seven persons have been confirmed dead following the incident that occurred on Saturday, January 18, 2025, mine deaths around 11:00 PM.
It involved a group of over 60 illegal miners breaching the security fence in an attempt to access the mine’s Deep Decline area.
The Ghana Armed Forces issued a statement confirming that the illegal miners opened fire on personnel deployed to manage the situation, and so they were forced to defend themselves.
In a statement issued on January 19, 2025, by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the acting spokesperson for the president, it was said that the president asked that anyone found to have acted unlawfully during the incident be held accountable.
“The government wishes to express deep regret over the tragic loss of up to eight (8) lives, said to be illegal miners, following a violent clash at a mining site in Obuasi.
“In response to the unfortunate incident, President John Dramani Mahama has ordered an immediate investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the clashes and ensure that any individuals found to have acted unlawfully are brought to justice.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
