Onua TV morning show host, Captain Smart
The death of seven persons in the clash between suspected illegal miners at Obuasi and state security officers stationed at Anglo Gold Ashanti has led to criticisms being directed at the host of Onua TV’s morning show, Captain Smart.
His critics are referencing an old video from the morning show where the host went on a rant against Anglo Gold Ashanti (AGA) over what he described as the company’s denial of indigenes’ rights with the support of the military.
“I am telling the youth of Ghana in Obuasi to enter the hole (AGA site). When you get up, storm there. Everyone should go and look for what to eat when you are hungry. You must be mad. Storm the place. Listen, AGA, if you don’t take care, we will chase you out of this country, I swear.
“Because listen, you cannot dig a cyanide hole of about a hundred meters in South Africa. Can you dig three cyanide square holes measuring a hundred meters each in South Africa and get away with it? But for the daft leadership we have in this country, why won’t these things happen? That is what I want Nana Addo and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to understand: that AGA is destroying Obuasi, and the youth of Obuasi should rise,” he stated during a rant on his editorial captioned “Mining Effect: Military Terrorism, Maiming Farmers in Farmlands at Obuasi.”
Some social media users say the rant by the show host was one of the motivating factors that led to the clash on Saturday, coming on the back of a longstanding impasse between the illegal miners and AGA.
On January 18, 2025, some illegal miners entered the concession of AGA in Obuasi, where a confrontation ensued between the illegal miners and some soldiers stationed at the mines. According to a release signed by the Director General of Public Relations for the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at about 2300 hours (11:00 PM), illegal miners numbering about 60 breached the Anglo Gold Ashanti mines security fence and intruded at Cote D’or Ramp.
He noted that the illegal miners aimed to enter the Deep Decline of the mines, hence retaliation by officers on the ground resulted in shooting since the illegal miners were wielding various weapons.
“The military patrol deployed on Operation HALT II duties at the mentioned location were fired upon by the illegal miners when the soldiers tried to stop them from accessing the Deep Decline.
“The illegal miners were wielding locally manufactured rifles, pump-action guns, gas cylinders, knives, heavy-duty industrial bolt cutters, axes, and machetes,” he added.
However, the shootout became fatal as the soldiers resorted to self-defense.
The shootout led to the death of seven illegal miners, with one seriously injured. Meanwhile, the president has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident.
In a letter signed by the president’s spokesperson, Felix Ofosu-Kwakye, he said, “The government wishes to express deep regret over the tragic loss of up to eight (8) lives, said to be illegal miners, following a violent clash at a mining site in Obuasi.”
See some social media reactions to Captain Smart’s old video below:
‘Captain not smart’ and Media Generale (@tv3_ghana, @OnuaTV, @onua951fm) bears significant responsibility for the unfortunate situation unfolding in Obuasi today.
Their actions, or lack thereof, have contributed to the current predicament, leaving them morally complicit! pic.twitter.com/1CBT6EMiOY
— Fiifi Sage (@_Fiifi_Sage) January 19, 2025
Are we right to blame captain Smart @CaptainSmart_tv and Onua TV for what happened at Obuasi? pic.twitter.com/8OQvzqQp2Y
— Petit☠️💀👺 (@Mr_pee13) January 19, 2025
This is what journalism has been reduced to. Captain Smart has been on TV constantly inciting people for the wrong reasons and Obuasi k!llings cannot be overlooked and everyone is quiet. GJA watch him disrespect authorities and oh he belongs to the NDC so it’s ok. Media General,… pic.twitter.com/2k4yuqkYIB
— CHARLOTTE NICOLE 🕊 (@charllycolegh) January 19, 2025
One journalist sat on the radio and incited the youth against authority, which led to civil war in Rwanda 🇷🇼. Many lives were lost, and many more went missing. Are we going to sit idly by and watch Captain Smart jeopardize our beloved country, Ghana? Over 8 deaths have now been… pic.twitter.com/DQbC0UrOcO
— Benjamin Effah Amponsah™️ (@Sir_Benjaminn) January 19, 2025
In any serious jurisdiction Captain Smart would be in jail serving not less than 10 years.
Rwanda went into chaos because of utterances like that.
I know @tv3_ghana will still shield him.
Pathetic.
— Adu 🟢🟡⚫ (@MTwumz_) January 19, 2025
If the president think he is going to use his four years in power to please people like Captain Smart, simply because he lied for him to get to power then he should come again . Captain smart must be arrested now .pic.twitter.com/6ti8iiAP1t
— Bully Pulpit (@makeachange2828) January 19, 2025
The beginning of Obuasi incident
Is Captain Smart happy now? pic.twitter.com/BMa4ngQCpS
— Ghana Focus TV 🇬🇭 (@Ghana1992) January 19, 2025