The revocation of Nawara Company Limited's mining leases by the government of Ghana through the Minerals Commission has triggered fresh controversy, with the Minerals Commission defending its decision, lawyers Martin Kpebu and Kofi Bentil questioning the process and two companies that subsequently acquired the concession rejecting allegations surrounding the transaction.

The Minerals Commission maintains that Nawara lost its mining rights after failing to settle outstanding annual mineral right fees, while Kpebu and Bentil have criticised the decision and called for the removal of the Commission's Chief Executive, Isaac Andrews Tandoh.

The two lawyers argue that the revocation contradicts the government's policy of increasing Ghanaian participation in the mining sector.

Bentil, a Vice-President of IMANI Africa, has also accused the Minerals Commission, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the military of taking the law into their own hands in handling the dispute. He alleged that people had been killed and the mine taken over, describing the situation as a sign of a potentially failed state.

He further claimed that the concession had been handed to Chinese miners who had begun clearing tree plantations and other vegetation on the site.

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Kpebu, on his part, questioned the decision to terminate the leases, arguing that an alleged debt of about eight million US dollars could not justify the cancellation of an investment he valued at more than 100 million US dollars.

He also accused the Commission of disregarding the law to favour an individual close to government, although he did not identify the person.

However, the Minerals Commission has defended its decision, citing Nawara's failure to pay outstanding annual mineral right fees for its Nsutam and Osiem mining leases.

In a statement issued on October 20, 2026, the Commission put the outstanding fees at 909,127 dollars and 79 cents, while its Director of Mineral Titles, Frank Asare, has separately estimated the debt at approximately 990,000 dollars.

The Commission said it served notices requiring Nawara to settle the arrears in accordance with Section 68(2) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), but the company failed to comply.

According to the Commission, the recommendation to terminate the leases was made by its previous Chief Executive, Martin Ayisi, in a letter dated July 29, 2025. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources subsequently approved the termination on August 19, 2025.

The Commission maintains that the mining rights have since reverted to the State and that any mining activities undertaken by Nawara on the concession after the termination are illegal.

It has also questioned Nawara's decision to take the matter to the media while arbitration proceedings initiated by the company on December 12, 2025, remain pending.

Asare has indicated that the Commission will continue to consider applications for the concession unless the High Court orders the restoration of Nawara's mining rights.

Meanwhile, CMS-PRO Industries and Construction Limited and A&A Southern Industries Limited, the two companies that subsequently acquired the concession, have weighed in on the controversy, challenging the claims made by Kpebu and Bentil.

In a statement dated October 31, 2026, management of the companies expressed concern over what they described as repeated personal attacks against Alfred Mahama, brother of President John Dramani Mahama, in connection with the mining concession.

They maintained that Alfred Mahama had no involvement in the revocation of Nawara's mining leases and was not a shareholder in either CMS-PRO or A&A Southern Industries.

The companies also insisted that their acquisition of the concession followed the applicable regulatory processes after Nawara allegedly failed to meet its obligations.

The statement further raised allegations of a GH¢1.2 million payment demand involving Nawara Company Limited, Kpebu and Bentil, purportedly to undertake media advocacy in support of Nawara following the revocation of its mining leases.

According to management, the two individuals allegedly sought payment from Nawara to undertake media engagements in defence of the company's position.

It further alleged that a similar financial demand was subsequently made to CMS-PRO, but the company declined to make the payment.

The companies believe the alleged disagreement over the payment may have contributed to what they describe as persistent attacks and unsubstantiated allegations against their management.

They have, however, challenged the lawyers to support their public statements with verifiable facts and documentary evidence, urging them to allow the regulatory and legal processes to determine the issues surrounding the concession.

Management has also warned that it reserves the right to pursue legal action over statements it considers defamatory and damaging to the reputation of the companies and Alfred Mahama.

AM

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