The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi South, Collins Dauda, has strongly denied allegations that he instructed the commander of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) taskforce to release arrested individuals during a recent confrontation at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region.
Speaking on Asempa FM on Monday, November 3, 2025, the veteran legislator clarified his role in the events that led to the clash between residents and the anti-illegal mining taskforce, insisting he had no hand in the release of any suspects.
“The Pan-African Parliament was holding meetings in South Africa, and I had travelled from Ghana to attend,” he explained. “While I was there, I received several calls from constituents saying some military personnel were carrying out an operation. I asked the Assembly member to go to the site so I could speak with the team leader, but he refused to engage with me.”
Mr. Dauda said the Asutifi North MP, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, later contacted him to inform him that he was attending a funeral in the area.
“I pleaded with him, considering his position, to go and speak with the commander, as perhaps the commander would not refuse him,” Dauda said. “He did not plan to go there initially; I only asked him so I could get a briefing.”
According to Mr. Dauda, the Asutifi North MP later visited the site and was briefed by the commander about illegal mining activities and the destruction of equipment.
“I did not intervene in the operation. The call even dropped during the conversation, and I did not call back. Later, I heard that some youth attacked the team as they moved to the police station. That is all I know about the matter,” he said.
He explained that the commander told him the taskforce had encountered illegal mining activity along the roadside near Goaso, prompting them to act.
“I could not speak with him for long, and the line dropped. Once I heard it was galamsey, I did not follow up,” he added.
Mr. Dauda was emphatic that he never gave any instructions for the release of the arrested miners. “I did not instruct the commander to release anyone. If he is a Catholic, he should swear with his rosary; if not, he can use his Bible. I am willing to hold the Quran and swear,” he said. “The conversation was not even completed before the line dropped. I did not give any such instruction.”
His clarification comes amid an ongoing investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) into the attack on the NAIMOS team at Hwidiem on Saturday, November 1, 2025. The taskforce was reportedly assaulted by a mob while handing over suspects and seized items at the Hwidiem Police Station, resulting in damage to vehicles.
The Asutifi North MP, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, has also denied allegations that he led residents to attack the taskforce, saying his involvement was only to help restore calm in coordination with local security officials.
Both MPs have reaffirmed their commitment to peace and cooperation with law enforcement as the CID continues its investigation into the incident.
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