Either Collins Dauda Resigns as MP or NDC is Complicit in Galamsey-Selorm Branttie

The Vice President for Innovation and Technology at IMANI Africa, Selorm Branttie, has demanded the resignation of two National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmakers, including eight-term MP Collins Dauda, who represents Asutifi South Constituency.

According to him, either they step down and get jailed or the NDC should be seen as a complicit accessory in this galamsey ecocide.

In a Facebook post, he expressed his anticipation for President John Dramani Mahama’s reaction to their alleged obstruction of the NAIMOS task force in clamping down on illegal mining.

“Now, let’s see if our President will do what it takes, or whether this will be swept under the carpet.”

This is in response to a report filed by Erastus Asare Donkor to the effect that two illegal mining kingpins, alongside several individuals, were arrested on November 1, 2025, by the Director of Operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), accompanied by ten (10) soldiers, along the Goaso to Hwidiem highway.

According to him, while arrangements were being made to convey the suspects to the Hwidiem Police Station, the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, arrived at the scene with several thugs, indicating that he was sent by Hon Collins Dauda, MP for the area and demanded that the Director release the arrested kingpins, including a Burkinabe, immediately.

He reportedly also demanded the removal of their handcuffs, arguing that he did not want the locals to see them in handcuffs.

“The Director politely declined the unlawful request, maintaining that the arrests were appropriate and that the right procedure be followed through to the Police. Subsequently, the MP and the thugs became violent and forcefully snatched the handcuff keys from one of the soldiers and took the handcuffs off the kingpins before chasing the NAIMOS team while going to the police station.”

Erastus further reports that upon arrival at the Hwidiem Police Station to lodge a report and hand over the suspects and exhibits, a crowd of about six hundred (600) people from Hwidiem and nearby communities surrounded the station.

The mob, he said, incited by Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, demanded the immediate release of the arrested suspects and seized vehicles, warning that they would “discipline” the soldiers if their demands were ignored.

“The situation quickly turned more violent. The Director of Operations’ Toyota Hilux pickup was vandalised, and the mob threatened to burn down the police station, even when the MP was reminded to call his mob to order. The tense standoff created a serious threat to life and property, placing immense pressure on both the Director of Operations and the police officers on duty.”

He reported that it took the intervention of the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem, Alhaji Mohammed Bashiru Zarikyi, for the crowd to remain calm and broker a deal for the evacuation of the taskforce.

“To prevent bloodshed and protect lives, a joint decision was made by the police, the military, and the Zongo Chief to release the keys to the seized vehicles in order to calm the crowd. The Zongo Chief then offered his Toyota Sequoia 4×4 to evacuate Colonel Buah, the Director of Operations, and his officers to safety at the Newmont Site in Kenyase under police escort. During the evacuation, the soldiers were physically attacked, and the Chief’s vehicle’s rear windscreen was shattered. Thankfully, no injuries were recorded.”

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