Ghana Is Becoming a Failed State: Lawyers Accuse Government of Seizing Local Mines for Chinese Operators Amid Deadly Narawa Dispute

Private legal practitioner Kofi Bentil has launched a scathing attack on the government over the violent dispute at the Narawa Company Limited mining concession, alleging that local mines are being seized and handed to Chinese nationals while state authorities look on.

Speaking on TV3's Key Points programme on Saturday, October 31, Bentil described the situation as symptomatic of state failure. "The government is taking over local mines and giving them to the Chinese; Ghana is looking like a failed state," he said. "You go like bandits, shoot people, take over their mines and give it to Chinese." He further questioned why the Minerals Commission would permit such a "level of lawlessness" under a democracy.

Allegations of Brutality Despite Court Order

Fellow lawyer Martin Kpebu, appearing on the same programme, alleged that state officials are brutalising and intimidating the owners of Narawa Mines in defiance of a court order. While Kpebu withheld the names of the officials, citing a scheduled meeting to address the matter, he warned that failure to resolve the issue would force him to disclose their identities.

The lawyers' comments come amid a protracted and violent dispute over the Narawa concession, located in the Eastern Region. Narawa Company Limited has accused armed individuals and military personnel of seizing its site on August 12, 2026. According to the company, the occupation has resulted in three deaths and injuries to ten people, including a police officer, between August 12 and October 7. Narawa further alleges the theft of six excavators, gold and gold concentrate valued at approximately GH¢100 million, and the destruction of equipment worth over US$2 million.

Conflicting Accounts and Legal Battles

The Minerals Commission has categorically denied orchestrating any illegal takeover. In a statement issued on October 20, the Commission maintained that Narawa's mining leases for Nsutam and Osiem were lawfully terminated on September 3, 2025, following the company's failure to settle outstanding mineral rights fees amounting to US$909,127.79. The Commission stated that the mineral rights reverted to the State and were subsequently granted to two new entities, which are now operating legally.

Narawa disputes the termination and claims it obtained a provisional court order sealed on February 19, 2026, which restrained the Republic from interfering with its operations or transferring the sites pending arbitration. The company has questioned how the continued occupation and mining activities are consistent with that order.

Chinese Nationals and Political Allegations

Narawa has alleged that approximately 13 groups of operators, reportedly involving Chinese nationals, are currently conducting unauthorised mining at the concession under the protection of armed civilians and military personnel. The company has called on the Ghana Armed Forces to clarify the identities and deployment authority of the soldiers present at the site.

The company also alleged that its Managing Director spoke directly with Alfred Mahama, identified as the brother of President John Dramani Mahama, who reportedly confirmed sending persons to the site. The claim has not been independently verified, and a representative of the new operators has dismissed allegations linking the takeover to the Presidency.

Criminal Proceedings Underway

The violence has also spawned criminal proceedings. Eleven suspects, including Narawa's Managing Director Amuda Yussif Fuseini and a serving military officer, were arraigned before the Osino District Court in October in connection with the October 1 shootings that left two people dead. All accused were granted self-recognisance bail, with the case adjourned to November 4, 2026.

Narawa has stated it is pursuing legal action against individuals, public officials, security personnel, and the State over their alleged roles in the matter, seeking damages for what it describes as wrongs committed against it.