How military allegedly took over Narawa Mining concession, killed Akyim Heman resident

Tension has reportedly escalated at the Narawa Mining Company concession in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region following an alleged takeover of the site by armed military personnel and civilians.

The company claims the operation has resulted in attacks, intimidation, destruction of property and disruption of its activities. It also alleges that one person identified as Douglas was shot and killed during the incident.

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 requisite documentation, had been subjected to a series of confrontations since tensions over the concession intensified.

According to Mr Fuseini, on August 12, 2026, a group allegedly led by a man identified as Ben entered the company’s yard and his room without explaining the purpose of their presence.

He alleged that the group seized his mobile phones while his brother and children were present.

Mr Fuseini further claimed that on August 26, he received a call instructing him to report to the mining site but later learned that there was allegedly a plan to attack, strip and assault him if he appeared.

He said he is currently in hiding and has been unable to return home because of concerns for his safety.

According to him, armed military personnel, together with civilians who allegedly claimed to be acting on behalf of the Presidency, had taken control of the company’s mining concession.

The company alleged that some of the civilians, led by the individual identified as Ben, were armed with machetes and guns and seized the phones of workers during the operation.

Management maintains that the takeover occurred despite an existing court injunction permitting the company to continue operating while the dispute over the concession is determined.

The company said that on August 16, the group allegedly invaded another official site, removed items and destroyed CCTV cameras installed on the premises.

Its security personnel reportedly attempted to resist the intrusion, after which management reported the matter to the police.

The situation allegedly escalated when the group returned to the site and one of the civilians reportedly pulled a gun and fired, hitting a company security officer and a police officer.

The two injured persons were subsequently taken to hospital for treatment, according to the company.

Dispute over concession
Narawa Mining Company said it has held the mining concession since 2011, with its lease renewed in 2020 and expected to remain valid until 2029.

Management said confrontations with a team of military personnel began after tensions over the concession intensified in 2025.

According to the company, the military personnel have claimed that the concession has been reassigned to them but have not provided documentation to substantiate the claim.

The company said the current dispute followed an earlier termination of its lease, which prompted it to seek legal redress.

It subsequently obtained an injunction dated February 19, 2026, allowing it to return to the site and continue operations while the substantive dispute was being determined.

However, company officials said civilians and military personnel later arrived at the site and claimed that the concession had been reassigned to them.

Management maintains that no documentation has been presented to establish the alleged transfer of the concession or the legal authority under which the group is operating.

According to company officials, the individual leading the operation has claimed links to powerful individuals, including persons allegedly connected to the Presidency, and has reportedly stated that the operation was sanctioned at the highest level.

The company named several military personnel and government officials, including Alfred Mahama, Abanga Yakubu Alhassan, Ebenezer Attah Fynn, also known as Ben, Alhaji Karim, Eric Acheampong, King Kwasi Amoah, Flight Sergeant Robert Mensah, Corporal Awal Mohammed, Corporal Francis Vigbedor, Corporal Adu, Sergeant Addo Simon, L.A.C. Kunya and Sergeant Kwame Tonto, as persons it alleges were involved in the raid.

The company, however, stressed that it had not independently verified the claims concerning the individuals named.

Military presence creates fear
Narawa Mining Company said the continued presence of military personnel at the concession had created fear among workers and residents in surrounding communities.

It alleged that military personnel had blocked access roads into the community, including portions of the Akumasa Highway, using vehicles.

According to the company, the development has affected its operations as well as the movement of residents and travellers to neighbouring communities.

Management said most of its workers had withdrawn from the area because of fears for their safety.

“We are still trying to estimate the damage to the company,” a representative said.

The representative added that management had been advised to avoid confrontation and instead pursue legal and institutional channels to resolve the dispute.

The company estimates that about 82 workers have been affected by the disruption.

Company insists concession dispute is before courts

Management said the dispute over the concession had already been brought before the courts and the mining tribunal.

It explained that following the termination of its lease, it sought legal redress and secured an order permitting it to resume operations while the matter was being determined.

The company said it subsequently began restoring some of its equipment and infrastructure after returning to the site.

It also said it had resolved issues previously raised with the Lands Commission and had not received any new documentation from the Commission authorising another party to take over the concession.

Management 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 establish who legally holds the concession rather than allowing the dispute to be resolved through intimidation or force.

Equipment and infrastructure allegedly destroyed

Narawa Mining Company further alleged that substantial damage had been caused to its property and mining infrastructure during the reported takeover.

According to management, some equipment, vehicles and other assets were either removed or damaged.

The company also alleged that gold-bearing concentrate stored at the site was taken away.

It said parts of its processing infrastructure had been damaged and that a major tunnel was allegedly set on fire.

Management said several vehicles used during the operation had been identified and their registration numbers recorded as part of the evidence being compiled.

Among the registration numbers cited 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 alleged 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 backed 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 dispute is resolved through the appropriate legal and regulatory channels.

Management said it had lost access to its premises and that its board, equipment, infrastructure and other properties had allegedly been damaged.

It is consequently calling for urgent intervention to resolve the dispute and restore its access to the concession, insisting that anyone claiming ownership must produce the necessary documentation and follow due legal processes.