Suame Member of Parliament John Darko (L) and Dr Solomon Owusu (R)
A heated confrontation erupted on Joy Prime’s Prime Insight show on Saturday, October 4, 2025, when Mining Consultant Dr Solomon Owusu and Suame Member of Parliament John Darko locked horns over the contentious issue of mining licenses in forest reserves.
The exchange began when Darko, who also serves as Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Environment, Science and Technology Committee, insisted that the previous Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration had not issued any licenses permitting mining in forest reserves.
However, Dr Owusu sharply disagreed, accusing the MP of misleading the public.
He alleged that over 44 mining licenses were granted between November and December 2024 following the passage of Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462.
“I don’t even live here, but I know. I am not a parliamentarian, but I know that your government issued about 44 licenses right after the November LI 2462. Between November and December, they issued over 44 licenses to people to mine in forest areas…So, if you come here and say your government never did that, either you’re lying to us or you didn’t do your research well.”
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His remarks provoked a sharp response from the Suame legislator, who accused Dr Owusu of being disrespectful.
“Stop addressing me like that. What do I know about you that you live in the United States? That it is such a big deal? Who are you?” Darko retorted.
The disagreement quickly escalated into a personal spat as both men traded words.
When Darko interrupted by saying, “Young man, go ahead and make your point,” Dr Owusu fired back, “I’m not a young man; I’m older than you. Keep quiet and listen to me. I am not a politician, and we need to stick to the issues.”
He added, “My brother, never compare yourself to me in anything, education-wise, financially, everything. Never compare yourself to me. You’re just a mere Member of Parliament.”
The show’s host, Blessed Sogah, was eventually forced to cut to a commercial break to calm the situation.
AM/SEA
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