NDC Majority caucus chastise NPP of politicising Obuasi deaths

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Majority Caucus in Parliament, on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, condemned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus’ “desperate attempts” to politicize the tragic deaths of nine illegal miners in Obuasi.

A report released by the Ghana Armed Forces indicates that on Sunday, January 20, 2025, some illegal miners allegedly invaded an abandoned mining concession belonging to global mining giant AngloGold Ashanti in the Ashanti Region. This led to clashes between the soldiers guarding the concession and the miners, resulting in deaths and injuries.

Addressing the media at the Parliament House in Accra, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Majority Leader, described the Minority Caucus’ politicization of the matter as “regrettable and most unfortunate.”

He stated that President John Dramani Mahama had already ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident and called for support and cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive approach to the investigation.

“We in Parliament have noted a desperate attempt by the NPP Minority in Parliament to politicize the matter. The NPP falsely claimed that there is a so-called upsurge in political violence in the country. They are also creating a misleading impression that the unfortunate deaths of the miners were the result of political violence,” Dr. Forson noted.

The Majority Leader emphasized that instead of the Minority Caucus sympathizing with the bereaved families, they were engaging in “cheap politics.” He expressed confidence that the President’s directive to investigate the incident would ensure an impartial, timely, and efficient investigation.

Dr. Forson also stated the Majority Caucus’ readiness to work with the NPP Minority Caucus if they so desired, in helping the country recover from the economic downturn.

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