Journalist Inciting Obuasi Youth to Seize Gold Mine Is Criminal; Mine Belongs to All Ghanaians – Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu warns against reckless statements, cites constitutional ownership of Ghana's natural resources.
- Seven people killed in a confrontation between illegal miners and military personnel at the Obuasi Gold Mine on January 18, 2025
- Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu condemns a journalist for urging Obuasi youth to seize the mine
- He reminds Ghanaians that all natural resources belong to the state
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, former Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, has strongly condemned a journalist for allegedly inciting Obuasi youth to seize the Obuasi Gold Mine, citing their political party’s power as justification.
His comments follow a violent clash between illegal miners and military personnel on Saturday, January 18, 2025, that resulted in seven fatalities.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:00 PM when around 60 illegal miners breached the mine’s security perimeter to access its Deep Decline area.
Describing the journalist’s remarks as “criminal,” Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu speaking with Kwame Tanko on the Ghana Se Sen Morning Show on Lawson TV/Radio he emphasized that the mine is not exclusive to Obuasi residents or indigenes.
He referenced Article 257(6) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which states that all natural minerals belong to the state and are held in trust by the president for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
“If you sit on radio and say the youth should take over the mine, you are inciting criminal behavior. The minerals belong to the state, not just Obuasi residents,” he cautioned.
He also expressed disappointment in President John Mahama for failing to decisively condemn NDC-affiliated youth who have allegedly been involved in violent actions against state properties since the 2024 elections.
Warning of the dangers of such incitement, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu remarked, “What you sow today, you will reap tomorrow. Without incitement, would these youth have acted this way?”
