Security analyst Andrews Asiedu Tetteh has stated categorically that one of the main reasons why we have seen illegal miners and others attack soldiers in recent times is because prior to the election, we saw some politicians incite people against the military.
He asserted that during the campaign period, some politicians asked the public to be bold and face it off with soldiers who would be deployed to the various polling stations.
This, he stated, opened the flood gate for some people to develop the desire to attack the military.
He was reacting to the recent riot at Hwidiem where some irate residents attacked the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) team in Hwidiem, Ahafo Region.
The incident occurred on Saturday, November 1, when a group of irate youth and alleged illegal miners attacked the NAIMOS team, destroying an operational vehicle.
The NAIMOS team had gone to the area to conduct a reconnaissance mission and had identified individuals engaged in alleged illegal mining activities.
Some suspects were arrested, but the situation escalated into a mob attack.
Commenting on this, Andrews Asiedu Tetteh noted that the way the public were incited against the military before the elections could be blamed for what happened.
He lamented that the issue of galamsey is gradually becoming a state of mayhem, and authorities must take immediate steps in dealing with the situation.
He proposed the declaration of a state of emergency, which the President had already said his national security had not advised him to do so.
When asked specifically what could have influenced the illegal miners to attack the soldiers, he attributed it to economic marginalisation, but stressed that the way people were incited against the military in the period leading up to the 2024 elections is also a major factor.
“Economic marginalisation is a factor. For example, if we have our leaders having access to good drinking water and even use clean water to water their flowers while some of us have to share our source of drinking water with cattle, then it will certainly cause that marginalisation. Some people are having more and better opportunities than others while the rest are struggling, and so those struggling would want to use every means possible to also have their share of the national cake. Some are prepared to engage in illegal mining as a source of livelihood and don’t care if they die. They would rather face off with the soldiers and get killed.
But the major issue is that before President Mahama was elected, Ghanaians were emboldened and incited against the soldiers and police. Ghanaians were influenced in seeing no wrong with assaulting the police and soldiers. We saw videos of how some soldiers and police were assaulted. Former President Akufo-Addo, while in office, and former IGP George Akuffo Dampare looked on and failed to act. The NDC looked on because they wanted power, and now that they are in power, they are overwhelmed. If we fail to stop them, we may regret it.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
