Narawa staff demonstrating against the concession takeover
Narawa Company Limited, a gold mining firm, is demanding immediate state intervention to halt what it describes as an armed invasion, looting of assets and illegal mining activities on its concession.
At a press conference in Accra yesterday, Head of Corporate Affairs of the company, Doris Attoh, said the concession has been under illegal occupation since August 12, 2026.
She said the site was forcefully taken over by both civilians and military personnel in an armed takeover during which all closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems were destroyed.
“There was torturing, butchering, and shooting; lives were lost and people were injured,” she stated.
According to the company, three lives have been lost and eight people injured, including a police officer, as a result of fatal violence and security logistics incidents on the concession up till October 1, 2026. Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the incidents.
Mrs. Attoh extended condolences to families of the deceased and injured, stating that the company stands in solidarity with them and will ensure justice prevails.
She clarified that at the time of the incident, administrative management was conducting background evaluations and onboarding interviews to strengthen authorised civil watch teams outside the operational area to protect civilian safety.
She noted that preliminary law enforcement assessments of personnel at the site differ from the company’s records, which show a staff strength of 150 employees. The company, she said, is cooperating with investigations and welcomes the arrest of the three suspects.
Mrs. Attoh stressed that any police review involving specific individuals should be treated separately from the company’s corporate identity and its statutory concessions, which have been established for over 30 years.
“We hold valid and binding possessory title protected by active High Court provisional orders, including an order sealed on the 19th of February, 2021. We believe that the forceful takeover, looting of our assets, and continued presence of unauthorised persons are contrary to those court orders,” she said, adding that the company’s legal team has brought the alleged breaches to the High Court’s attention.
“We want to establish the facts to ensure that no private actor is using state uniforms or the appearance of state authority unlawfully,” Mrs. Attoh added.
According to site reconnaissance, approximately 13 rogue groups, including individuals believed to be foreign nationals, are currently conducting illegal mining (galamsey) on the concession in violation of Section 70 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).
She said the groups have stolen six excavators and gold concentrates valued at approximately GH¢100 million, and destroyed plant infrastructure valued in excess of US$2 million.
Mrs. Attoh said armed persons have prevented management from accessing the concession, making it impossible to carry out environmental mitigation duties. The company has therefore notified the Chief Inspector of Mines and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of the damages.
The company said legal proceedings have been instituted before the High Court against private individuals, corporate trespassers and complicit entities.
“We intend to seek appropriate remedies for asset losses, business interruption, and interference with our operations. Our objective is accountability through the law,” she pointed out.
Narawa is urging the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces, Minerals Commission and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) to secure the concession, as well as calling on government and state security agencies to issue immediate written directives to remove all unauthorised persons and restore lawful access.
‎By Janet Odei Amponsah