Tension has reportedly escalated at the Narawa Mining Company concession in the Fanteakwa South District after armed military personnel allegedly stormed the area, attacking and intimidating residents and miners.
The development has led to the death of one Douglas who weas shot and killed by the military personnel.
Abdul Karim Fuseini, Production and Operations Manager of Narawa Mining Company and Nkosuohene of Nsoapemso, said the company, which he described as a large-scale mining firm with the relevant documentation, had previously been confronted by military personnel.
He alleged that on August 12, 2026, a group led by a man identified as Ben entered the company’s yard and his room without explaining the reason for their presence, before seizing his phones while his brother and children were present.
He further alleged that on August 26, he received a call asking him to report to the mining site, but later learnt that there was a plan to attack, strip and assault him if he appeared.
Mr. Fuseini who is now in hiding and unable to return home due to fears for his safety, narrated that the armed military personnel including some civilians claiming to be from the office of the President have allegedly stormed and took over a mining concession in the Eastern Region belonging to Narawa Company Limited.
The company alleged that some of the civilians led by one Ben, were armed with machetes and guns and seized the phones of workers during the operation.
These armed military personnel and civilians have taken over the mining concession despite a court injunction allowing the company to continue operating while a dispute over the concession is determined.
It said on August 16, the group allegedly invaded another official site, removed items and destroyed CCTV cameras installed on the premises.
The company said its security personnel attempted to resist the alleged intrusion, prompting management to report the matter to the police.
The situation, however, allegedly escalated when the group returned to the site and one of the civilian men reportedly pulled a gun and fired, hitting a company security officer and a police officer.
The two injured persons were subsequently admitted to hospital for treatment, according to the company.
The company which held the mining concession since 2011, with its lease renewed in 2020 and expected to remain valid until 2029, started receiving attacks and confrontations from a team of military officers claiming the concession has been given to them without providing any documentary proof to that effect.
This paper has established that the current dispute emerged after the renewal of the concession, with tensions escalating from 2025.
Following an earlier termination of its lease, the company went to court and was granted an injunction permitting it to return to the site and continue operations while the substantive matter was being determined at the appropriate forum.
The injunction, dated February 19, 2026, remains an important legal basis for its continued operation.
However, a group of civilians and military personnel subsequently arrived at the site and claimed that the concession had been reassigned to them.
According to company officials, no documentation has been presented to establish the alleged transfer of ownership or the authority under which the group is operating.
According to the management, the individual leading the operation has claimed links to powerful persons, including persons allegedly connected to the Presidency, and has reportedly said the operation was sanctioned at the highest level.
Military personnel and top government officials including Alfred Mahama, Abanga Yakubu Alhassan, Ebenezer Attah Fynn A.K.A Ben, Alhaji Karim, Eric Acheampong, King Kwasi Amoah, Flight Sergent Robert Mensah, Corporal Awal Mohammed, Corporal Francis Vigbedor, Corporal Adu, Sergfent Addo Simon, L A C Kunya and Sergent Kwame Tonto were mentioned by the company officials as persons allegedly involved in the Narawa Mine raid.
The company, however, stressed that it had not independently verified those claims.
Military presence creates fear
Narawa Company Limited said the continued presence of military personnel at the site had created fear among workers and members of the surrounding community.
It alleged that military personnel had blocked access roads leading into the community, including sections of the Akumasa highway, using vehicles.
The company said the development had affected not only its operations but also the movement of residents and people travelling to neighbouring communities.
It said its workers had largely withdrawn from the area because they feared for their safety.
“We are still trying to estimate the damage to the company,” a representative said, explaining that management had been advised to avoid confrontation and pursue legal and institutional channels for redress.
The company said about 82 staff had been affected by the disruption to its operations.
Company insists concession is before the courts
Management said the dispute over the concession had previously been taken to the courts and the mining tribunal.
It explained that after the termination of its lease, the company sought legal redress and obtained an order allowing it to resume operations while the matter was being considered.
The company said it subsequently began restoring some of its equipment and infrastructure after returning to the site.
It also stated that it had resolved issues previously raised with the Lands Commission and had not received any fresh documentation from the Commission authorising another party to take over the concession.
The company is therefore calling on the Minerals Commission, the Presidency and other relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged takeover.
It urged the authorities to verify the competing claims and determine who legally holds the concession rather than allowing the dispute to be settled through intimidation or force.
Equipment and infrastructure allegedly destroyed
Narawa Company Limited further alleged that significant damage had been caused to its property and mining infrastructure during the takeover.
According to the company, some of its equipment, vehicles and other assets were removed or damaged.
It also alleged that gold-bearing concentrate that had been stored at the site was taken away.
Management said parts of the processing infrastructure were damaged, while a major tunnel was allegedly set on fire.
The company said several vehicles used during the alleged operation had been identified and that it had recorded their registration numbers as part of its evidence.
Among the numbers cited by the company are CN 737125, DH 130726, JS 21-124, AW 1111-22 and GT 43-17-24.
The company said it was documenting the extent of the damage and gathering evidence to support its case.
Calls for official intervention
Management maintained that it was prepared to comply with any legitimate directive from the relevant regulatory authorities but insisted that any change in ownership or control of the concession must be supported by proper documentation and follow due process.
It said the presence of armed personnel at a disputed mining site was creating unnecessary tension and undermining confidence in Ghana’s regulatory and legal processes.
The company is therefore appealing to the Minerals Commission, the Presidency, security agencies and other relevant institutions to intervene, establish the facts surrounding the concession and ensure that the ongoing dispute is resolved through the appropriate legal and regulatory mechanisms.
The company said it had lost access to its premises, while its board, equipment, infrastructure and other properties had allegedly been damaged.
It is therefore appealing for intervention to resolve the dispute and restore access to the concession, insisting that those claiming ownership should provide the necessary documentation and follow due legal processes.