Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah
A former National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Organiser has been accused of leading Chinese nationals and men believed to be soldiers to forcibly take over a mining concession in the Western Region.
The incident occurred over the weekend at the Bondae mine concession and it took the intervention of the Western Regional Police to prevent what sources described as a potential violent clash and security officials at the mine.
The dispute centers on a concession subject to ongoing litigation at the Sekondi High Court where Long Shine Mining Ghana Limited has filed a suit challenging the legality of a contract termination.
The former national organiser is reported to have allegedly sought police assistance to take over the concession last Saturday, and later approached the MCE for the area.
With both efforts proving unsuccessful due to the pending court case the former NDC organiser attempted to enter the mine but was prevented by the security which led to a standoff.
The police were later called in to restore order and peace in the area.
Mining sector observers say disputes over concessions and ownership should be settled through legal processes, not through actions that could be seen as interference.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat have in recent months targeted illegal mining sites, including some linked to foreign nationals in the Western and Western North regions.
Legal experts note that once a matter is before a competent court, parties are expected to avoid actions that could prejudice proceedings or spark conflict on the ground.
They stress that respect for judicial processes is key to stability in the mining industry and to protecting local and foreign investment.
The incident is likely to revive debate over political influence in the management of mining concessions, an issue that has featured in public discussions on natural resource governance.
Meanwhile, stakeholders have called for a thorough investigation into the alleged raid and urged all parties to respect the judicial process until the court delivers a final ruling.
A Daily Guide Report