Some traditional authorities in the Asante Akyem enclave of the Ashanti Region have endorsed the Minerals Commission’s decision to revoke Northern Ashanti Mines’ mining lease, insisting that companies holding mineral rights must fulfil their statutory obligations and demonstrate the financial and technical capacity to develop their concessions.

The chiefs, including the Mennamhene, Nana Tweneboah Kodua Bempah, and the Konongo Chief, Nana Dr Awuah Abedimisa II, said the revocation was justified by the company’s failure to meet its financial obligations to the state and its inability to demonstrate satisfactory progress in developing the concession.

They said the decision should reinforce accountability in the mining sector and ensure that mineral rights are held by investors capable of maximising the country’s resources while delivering tangible benefits to host communities.

Mennamhene, Nana Tweneboah Kodua Bempah, who spoke in interview an on behalf of the Juansamanhene, Nana Kwaku Dankwah Opamago Kodie II, said mining companies had clear statutory responsibilities, including the payment of taxes, annual mineral right fees and other revenues due the state.

He maintained that no company should expect special treatment when it failed to honour these obligations, adding that the government was empowered to terminate mineral rights where breaches of the law and relevant agreements had been established.

He also criticised companies that portray themselves as victims after failing to comply with mining regulations, describing such conduct as inimical to accountability and responsible mining.

During a separate interview, the Chief of Konongo, Nana Dr Awuah Abedimisa II, said Northern Ashanti Mines had failed to demonstrate the financial capacity and operational efficiency required to develop the concession effectively.

He therefore urged the Minerals Commission to subject prospective investors to rigorous due diligence, insisting that the selection of a new operator must prioritise financial strength, technical expertise and a proven ability to sustain mining operations.

He said the process must go beyond transferring mineral rights to another investor and focus on securing a company capable of translating the area’s gold resources into meaningful economic benefits for the state and beneficiary communities.

The chiefs also called on the incoming operator to comply fully with Ghana’s mining laws and make community development an integral part of its operations.

Nana Tweneboah Kodua Bempah said the traditional authorities were prepared to engage the new company to identify development priorities and establish a working relationship based on cooperation and sustainable growth.

They expressed the expectation that the change would create opportunities for more effective mining operations, increased economic activity and improved benefits for communities within the concession’s catchment area.

Commission defends revocation

The chiefs’ endorsement follows the Minerals Commission’s October 27, 2026 announcement that it had revoked Northern Ashanti Mines’ mineral rights over breaches of its statutory and contractual obligations.

The Commission said the termination was undertaken in accordance with the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2176), and the terms of the agreements with the company.

According to the Commission, Northern Ashanti Mines owed US$8.33 million in outstanding Annual Mineral Right fees for its mining leases covering 2010 to 2025, as well as US$49,928 in fees relating to prospecting licences for 2019 to 2025.

It said the company was served notices on April 14, 2025, requiring it to remedy the breaches and settle the outstanding amounts within a stipulated period but failed to comply.

The Commission also cited the company’s failure to undertake meaningful mining operations on the concession for more than two years, which it said contravened Section 69(1) of Act 703.

It said it notified the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on April 7, 2026, and sought approval to issue a termination notice. The Minister granted approval on April 24, paving the way for the Commission to terminate the mineral rights on April 30, 2026.

At a press conference in Accra, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Mr Isaac Tandoh, rejected allegations that the Commission and the Minister had acted in bad faith, insisting that the termination process followed the law and that the Minister had exercised his lawful authority.

He also disputed Northern Ashanti Mines’ claim that it had paid US$1 million in annual mineral right fees, saying the Commission’s records showed payments of only US$300,000 in two tranches.

Mr Tandoh questioned why the company, which reportedly claimed to have invested US$200 million in the mine, had failed to settle its outstanding financial obligations to the state.

He said the company had acknowledged receipt of the termination notice but had chosen to pursue legal action against the Minister, the Minerals Commission and the Attorney-General.

Mr Tandoh urged the company to allow the courts to determine the dispute, adding that the mineral rights had reverted to the state following the termination.

He said the Commission would continue to pursue the outstanding debts and take steps to protect the mining assets against encroachment and other illegal activities in accordance with the law.

The chiefs’ endorsement adds to calls for stricter enforcement of mining regulations, as attention turns to selecting a new operator capable of developing the concession, meeting its obligations to the state and contributing meaningfully to host-community development.