The Ghana Police Service and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) have been urged by Advocacy for Citizens Ghana (ACG) to detain journalist Captain Smart of Onua TV immediately for purportedly triggering illegal actions that resulted in the deaths of seven people at AngloGold’s Obuasi concession on January 18, 2025.
In a statement issued by the group’s Communication Directorate, led by Frederick Boahene, the group accused Captain Smart of making provocative remarks during his morning show and in a widely shared video on social media, where he allegedly challenged people to trespass on the AngloGold mining site, including alleged members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
ACG claims that the statement made by Captain Smart in the film, “This country is for everybody,” incited violent altercations and promoted invasion into mining concessions.
The advocacy group maintains that Captain Smart’s remarks were a direct cause of the violence, even though President John Dramani Mahama has already launched an investigation, and the Ghana Armed Forces have released an official report on the incident.
ACG also voiced alarm over the increase in illicit behavior and vandalism after President Mahama’s election victory, pointing to instances of property destruction, police station burnings, and unlawful seizing of government institutions.
The group called on President Mahama to publicly denounce these acts and guarantee that order is restored, the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) and the National Media Commission to hold Captain Smart responsible for flouting media ethics, and the IGP to take firm action against all of the offenders, regardless of their political affiliation. The group also demanded that Captain Smart’s employment be revoked on the basis of unprofessionalism.
“ACG insists that failing to arrest and prosecute Captain Smart would set a dangerous precedent and embolden reckless journalism in the country. parts of the statement read.