AngloGold Shooting: Hold Mahama and NDC Accountable for 8 Dead- Ahiagbah
The Director of Communication for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah says President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) must be held accountable for the death of eight persons in the clash between military officers and illegal miners at Obuasi mine of AngloGold Ashanti.
According to him, the inaction of the President and his party resulted in the intrusion by the illegal miners and their subsequent death and injury.
There is speculation that the intruders are members of the governing party.
In a social media post on Monday, Ahiagbah characterized the incident as “needless killings” as he sympathized with the bereaved families and the injured.
“Ghanaians must hold the NDC and the John Mahama Administration responsible for the murder of these eight Ghanaians owing to their inaction to inform, caution, or advise the members of the NDC who have taken the laws into their own hands and storming institutions under the guise that it is their government that is in power.”
He believes the tragic incident could have been averted had the government and its party issued a prior caution to its members.
“Just 12 days in office, 8 avoidable slaughters simply because the NDC refused to heed the call to bring their rampaging members to order. Now, these precious lives are gone forever due to that negligence.
“No extent of investigation will bring them back to life. Well, let’s console one another as we await the outcome of the requested investigation to see if these Ghanaians murdered in cold blood will see justice… We must pray for justice for the Obuasi 8.. Rest in peace, my fellow Ghanaians.”
The eight were among a group numbering about 60 who attempted to forcibly gain unauthorized access to AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Limited mine infrastructure on January 18.
According to the military, the intruders were wielding locally manufactured rifles, pump action guns, gas cylinders, knives, heavy-duty industrial bolt cutters, axes and machetes.
“The troops returned fire in self-defence. The shootout led to the death of seven illegal miners and one seriously injured. The remaining illegal miners bolted away. A soldier who was also hit by pellets from a pump action gun and got injured has been treated.”
It noted that six pump action BB cartridges were retrieved.
In reaction, the government expressed deep regret over the tragic loss of lives and announced the President had ordered an immediate investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the clashes.
A statement issued by the spokesperson of the President, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, said that an investigation has been ordered into the incident and assured that “any individuals found to have acted unlawfully are brought to justice”.
Additionally, the government has charged Anglo-Gold Ashanti (AGA) to absorb the medical cost of the injured and assist the burial arrangement of the deceased.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
