Obuasi mine deaths: Blame Onua TV for inciting violence

Ras Mubarak, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has strongly criticized Onua TV for its alleged role in inciting the events that led to a deadly clash at the AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) mine in Obuasi.

In a statement shared on social media, Mubarak held the media house accountable for allowing its platform to be used to promote violence, specifically referencing comments made by one of its staff, Captain Smart, a host of the 'Maakye' morning show.

“Place the blame of the very unfortunate events in Obuasi squarely at the doorsteps of Onua TV, which allowed its platform to be used to incite violence by one of its staff,” Mubarak wrote.

He further emphasized the need for discipline and accountability in Ghana’s media space, cautioning that freedom of speech should not serve as a shield for reckless behavior.

“We’ve come a long way and must not, in the name of free speech, allow media houses to be used as vessels to incite violence. We can’t live in a country with such wanton indiscipline. Thuggery and any other acts of lawlessness must have no place in the Ghana we all want. We sit aloof at our own peril,” he added.

Background
The controversy stems from a video circulating on social media in which Captain Smart urged the youth in Obuasi to attack the mine and take whatever they want.

He accused AGA of exploiting the area and called for a youth uprising, claiming it was necessary to secure their share of the region's resources.

“Ghanaian youth in Obuasi, go to the mine. Attack the mine and take what you want so that when you get hungry, you get something to eat.

“AGA, if you are not careful, we will chase you out of this country, I swear!... How can these people do this in this country? The youth of Obuasi need to rise…”

The remarks are believed to have incited the illegal miners who invaded the Obuasi mine, leading to a violent confrontation with military personnel.

About nine illegal miners lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries in the clash.