A top government official (name withheld) has been accused of leading a group of Chinese nationals and men suspected to be military personnel in an alleged attempt to forcibly take over a disputed mining concession in the Western Region, raising concerns about interference in a matter currently before the courts.
The incident reportedly occurred over the weekend at the Bondae mining concession, where tensions escalated amid an ongoing legal dispute involving the said Chinese nationals.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the government official allegedly led a group of men dressed in green attire to take control of the concession on behalf of the Chinese nationals, despite pending litigation over the ownership and management of the site.
The timely intervention of the Western Regional Police Command is said to have averted what could have developed into a violent confrontation between the parties involved.
Sources claim that an initial attempt to gain control of the concession through force was unsuccessful. They further allege that efforts were subsequently made to secure police support for a takeover of the site.
When that reportedly failed, assistance was allegedly sought from the local government officials. However, that attempt is said to have been unsuccessful due to the ongoing court proceedings.
The dispute over the concession remains before the Sekondi High Court, following a suit filed by a Chinese company challenging the termination of a mining agreement.
Mining industry observers say the development raises serious concerns about the handling of disputes within the sector, stressing that issues relating to concession ownership and contractual rights should be resolved through established legal processes.
The allegations come at a time when government has intensified efforts to sanitise the mining sector and clamp down on illegal mining activities across the country.
In recent months, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) have undertaken a number of operations targeting illegal mining sites, including some linked to foreign nationals in the Western and Western North regions.
Legal experts maintain that once a matter has been submitted before a competent court, parties are expected to refrain from actions that could prejudice the outcome of proceedings or create further tensions on the ground.
They argue that respect for judicial processes remains essential for maintaining stability in the mining sector and safeguarding both local and foreign investments.
The incident is also expected to reignite debate over the influence of political actors in the administration of mining concessions, an issue that has featured prominently in discussions on the governance of Ghana’s natural resources.
Stakeholders are, therefore, calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged attempted takeover and urging all parties to allow the courts to determine the matter.
