NPP Blames NDC for Obuasi Mine Incident, Demands Justice

NPP Blames NDC for Obuasi Mine Tragedy, Calls for Justice

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has blamed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the current administration led by President John Mahama for the tragic loss of lives at the AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine on Sunday, January 19, 2025.

The incident, which resulted in eight deaths and several injuries during a confrontation between illegal miners and military personnel, has ignited political tensions.

At a press conference in Accra on Thursday, January 23, 2025, NPP Communications Director Richard Ahiagbah read a 16-point statement condemning the NDC for fostering lawlessness among its supporters since winning the 2024 General Elections. He criticized President Mahama and the NDC leadership for their silence amid escalating violence, stating that their inaction encouraged further disorder.

“We are here today to address the negligence of the NDC and President John Dramani Mahama, which has led to the loss of lives at the AngloGold Ashanti mines in Obuasi and Newmont in related violence,” Ahiagbah said.

The NPP asserted that the NDC had failed to restrain its supporters from engaging in violent acts, which began immediately after the December 7th elections. They accused the NDC of ignoring calls to curb post-election violence and cited multiple instances of attacks on government institutions by NDC-affiliated groups.

“The NDC must take responsibility for the gruesome murder of these individuals, many of whom were their own supporters. Their leadership failed to lead, to caution their thugs against the lawlessness that took over their party after the election,” the statement read.

The NPP called on the Ghana Police Service to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the Obuasi tragedy, warning against any potential cover-ups.

“We urge the Ghana Police Service to ensure justice is served expeditiously and caution against any backroom deals with the John Mahama Administration to shield those responsible,” Ahiagbah emphasized.

Excerpts from the NPP’s 16-Point Statement:

1. We express our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
2. The NDC resorted to violence immediately after the December 7th elections despite the NPP’s peaceful concession and cooperation during the transition.
3. The NDC leadership has failed to rein in their supporters, leading to violent attacks on Electoral Commission offices, police installations, and other institutions.
4. There have been numerous documented cases of NDC-affiliated violence, including:
   • Attacks on government offices and facilities such as Cocobod, the Ministry of Energy, and police stations in Ejura and Attebubu.
   • Destruction of Electoral Commission offices and related election materials.
5. President Mahama’s silence has emboldened violent actors within the NDC.
6. The bloodshed in Obuasi could have been prevented had the NDC cautioned its members against lawless acts.
7. The NPP demands that the Ghana Police Service conduct an independent and transparent investigation to ensure justice for the victims.
8. We hold President Mahama and the NDC accountable for the security failures that led to this tragedy.
9. The NDC leadership must acknowledge their role in fostering violence and take concrete steps to address it.
10. We urge President Mahama to condemn the violent acts and take responsibility for maintaining law and order.
11. The NPP remains committed to promoting peace and ensuring justice for all affected individuals.
12. The government must provide adequate security measures to prevent future occurrences of such violence.
13. We encourage civil society and international bodies to monitor the situation and demand accountability.
14. Law enforcement agencies must be empowered to act independently without political interference.
15. We reiterate our call for a non-partisan approach to addressing security challenges in the country.
16. Justice must prevail to ensure peace and stability in Ghana.

The NPP concluded the conference by reaffirming its commitment to justice for the victims and urging President Mahama to ensure accountability within his administration.