Vincent Ekow Assafuah is the Old Tafo MP
The Member of Parliament of Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has questioned President John Dramani Mahama regarding his directive for the management of AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) to fully cover the medical expenses of the injured individuals.
Appearing as a guest panelist on UTV on Monday, January 20, 2025, Assafuah questioned the basis on which the president is issuing such a directive to the mining company, considering that investigations have yet to begin and no findings have been established.
The New Patriotic Party lawmaker suggested that the content of the statement released by the presidency implies that President Mahama has already taken sides with the deceased illegal miners, branding the mining company as the guilty party.
“Armed Forces have stationed men at the AngloGold Ashanti and they witnessed people besieging the premises. The report provided by them which we, as lawyers call prima facie evidence or case, has given you an outline of what happened, adding that they were attacked unprovoked,” he said.
Assafuah argued that the president should have waited for the findings from the investigations before directing the company to cover the expenses.
“How do you include in your statement that AGA should bear the expenses of the medical expenses of the deceased and facilitate the burial arrangements for those who lost their lives? These people were there unprovoked and so, one way or the other, it is like you have already taken a stance.
“You have already taken sides asking people to compensate the deceased while asking for an investigation. On what basis are you telling the company to bear the cost? If you read the entirety of the statement, you can clearly see he has already concluded that the company is guilty,” he added.
His statement follows the violent clash between illegal miners and military personnel, which resulted in the loss of seven lives and left many others injured.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has directed an investigation into the incident so that the persons found culpable for the incident would be held accountable.
“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 at Obuasi.
“In response to the unfortunate incident, President John Dramani Mahama has ordered an immediate investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the clashes and ensure that any individuals found to have acted unlawfully are brought to justice,” part of the statement read.
The government also asked the management of AngloGold Ashanti to bear the medical expenses of the injured individuals fully and facilitate the burial arrangements of those who have lost their lives.
MAG/AE
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