Blaming Captain Smart as the trigger of the clash while ignoring the deep-rooted historical grievances of the youth in Obuasi is dangerous. The unrest that recently unfolded in Obuasi is not an isolated incident but rather a reflection of longstanding grievances that have festered for years. While some have pointed fingers at Captain Smart as the instigator, such an approach oversimplifies a deeply rooted socio-economic and political issue that has been brewing beneath the surface. Without addressing the historical injustices and frustrations of the youth in Obuasi, merely blaming an individual for triggering the clash is both misleading and dangerous.

Obuasi is one of Ghana’s most resource-rich towns, known for its extensive gold deposits and a history of mining activities that date back over a century. However, despite the wealth generated from these resources, many young people in the community feel excluded from the economic benefits. The promise of prosperity has not translated into tangible opportunities for the majority of residents, leading to growing frustration, disillusionment, and anger. Successive governments and mining companies have often been accused of failing to reinvest in the community, leaving the youth with few avenues for economic advancement. This has created a volatile environment where any perceived injustice or provocation can easily lead to unrest.

Over the years, grievances have accumulated due to widespread unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, and limited social services. The youth of Obuasi have continually voiced their concerns about the lack of job opportunities despite living in a town that contributes significantly to Ghana’s economy. The failure to address these economic disparities has bred resentment, making them more susceptible to agitation when they feel ignored or marginalized. The situation is further compounded by the perception that the wealth from Obuasi’s gold mines is being siphoned away to benefit a select few, while the local population remains in economic hardship. These unresolved socio-economic challenges have created an environment where any spark can ignite widespread anger.

Blaming Captain Smart for the unrest ignores these fundamental issues and shifts, focusing away from the structural and systemic challenges that need urgent attention. While media personalities can influence public discourse and sometimes provoke strong reactions, the deeper question should be: Why are the youth in Obuasi so agitated? The answer lies in decades of economic neglect, political deception, and unfulfilled promises. The frustration has been simmering for years, and it is unrealistic to think that any single individual can be the sole reason for such an explosion of anger. The tendency to find a scapegoat rather than addressing the root cause of the problem is a dangerous precedent that does nothing to resolve the underlying tensions.

A superficial blame game does more harm than good. It allows authorities to deflect responsibility from their failure to create sustainable opportunities for the youth. It also distracts from meaningful conversations that should be focused on economic empowerment, social justice, and fair resource distribution. When real grievances are ignored, and blame is misplaced, it only deepens distrust between the youth and the government, creating conditions for further unrest in the future. Addressing the root causes of youth dissatisfaction in Obuasi requires more than finding someone to blame; it demands structural reforms that provide tangible solutions to their long-standing concerns.

To de-escalate tensions and prevent future clashes, there must be a genuine effort to engage the youth in constructive dialogue. Authorities must prioritize economic policies that create jobs and provide opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in the local economy. Government and private sector stakeholders should ensure that the wealth generated from Obuasi’s mining industry is equitably distributed to benefit the people of the community. Investing in skill development, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure projects can provide sustainable alternatives for the youth, reducing their vulnerability to social unrest.

Transparency in governance is also critical in addressing these grievances. The local community must have a say in how resources are managed, and there should be accountability mechanisms to ensure that revenue from the mining sector is reinvested in public goods such as education, healthcare, and social services. If the government continues to overlook these concerns, the cycle of frustration and agitation will persist, leading to further instability.

The events in Obuasi should serve as a wake-up call to policymakers, traditional authorities, and business leaders. The youth are not merely reacting to a single incident but expressing their pent-up frustrations with a system that has consistently failed them. Unless there is a conscious effort to address their concerns and implement lasting solutions, blaming individuals like Captain Smart will not prevent future crises. Sustainable peace can only be achieved when historical grievances are acknowledged and actively resolved through inclusive governance, economic fairness, and social justice.

Ignoring the root causes of the conflict while fixating on a single individual as the source of the problem is a dangerous oversimplification that will not lead to lasting peace. The frustration of the youth in Obuasi is deeply embedded in historical injustices, economic marginalization, and unfulfilled promises. The real solution lies not in assigning blame but in creating a society where opportunities are accessible to all, and the wealth of the land benefits its people. Only then can the cycle of unrest be broken, and true progress be achieved.

The writer, Anthony Acquaye, is Security, Intelligence, and Conflict Analyst at the Centre for Security Dialogue and Peace Advocacy