Convenor of the One Ghana Movement and member of the Ghana Coalition Against Illegal Mining, Senyo Hosi, says the recent clash in Hwidiem is a test of President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to ending illegal mining.
According to him, the incident presents the “perfect test” of whether the President has the political will to tackle galamsey and hold those involved accountable.
“I think this is just the perfect test of whether the president his excellency John Dramani Mahama has the political will to fight galamsey or not. This is the biggest test,” he said.
Speaking on JoyNews on November 4 and monitored by NewsDesksGh.com, Senyo Hosi reminded the President of his own words upon assuming office.
“The president coming into office rightly said that he needed to deal with the kingpins and not the small boys,” he said.
“It’s been 10 months. We’ve not seen the kingpins yet.”
“These are your kingpins Mr. President. These are your kingpins,” he stressed.
Senyo Hosi emphasized that those implicated in the Hwidiem confrontation should not be treated with leniency.
“His ability to deal with his own people will be sign of his real commitment,” he added. “If this particular matter he can’t deal with it, ruthlessly, to send the right signal to his own people then there’s no hope.”
He urged the President to take swift action and demonstrate leadership in the fight against galamsey.
“His excellency the president, this is your perfect time to show your commitment to this fight. To show your leadership,” Mr. Hosi said.
“By this morning he should have rounded up all these people. Summon them. Make sure those MPs are arrested. Make sure every one of those people who were mentioned and identified by the police and NAIMOS are arrested.”
A violent clash occurred in Hwidiem, Ahafo Region, Ghana, on Saturday, November 1, 2025, between members of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) task force and local residents and illegal miners.
The NAIMOS team, made up of soldiers, police, and National Intelligence Bureau personnel, had conducted an operation at an illegal mining site in Bronikrom, near Hwidiem. They arrested two men, confiscated vehicles and equipment, and reportedly destroyed structures and mining gear.
In response, a large mob surrounded the Hwidiem Police Station, demanding the release of the suspects and the seized items.
The situation escalated, resulting in the mob vandalizing a NAIMOS vehicle, damaging parts of the police station, and reportedly attempting to set the facility on fire.
The Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, was named in connection with the clash.
Sources allege he arrived at the scene with a group of men, demanded the release of the suspects, and later mobilized the crowd that besieged the police station.
Mr. Addo denied the allegations, stating that his intervention was only to ensure calm and due process. He has been invited by the CID to assist with investigations.
Collins Dauda, the Member of Parliament for Asutifi South, was also mentioned in some claims, however he has described them as false, explaining that he only asked Mr. Addo to help communicate with the security team commander since he was out of town.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service is currently investigating the incident.
