Asante Akyem Chiefs Back Revocation …Of Northern Ashanti Mines Lease

Chiefs in the Asante Akyem enclave of the Ashanti Region have publicly announced their support for the revocation of the mining lease of Northern Ashanti Mines, formerly Owere Mines, insisting that mining companies must be held accountable for failing to meet their statutory obligations and demonstrate the capacity to operate their concessions effectively.

Isaac Tandoh – CEO, Minerals Commission

The chiefs, including Nana Tweneboah Kodua Bempah, the Mennamhene and the Konongo Chief, Nana Awuah Abedimisa II, have endorsed the Minerals Commission’s decision, citing concerns over the company’s outstanding mineral right fees and its performance in developing the mining concession.

The revocation has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of mining regulations and the selection of financially capable investors who can maximise the country’s mineral resources while contributing to the development of host communities.

The chiefs’ reaction follows the revocation of Northern Ashanti Mines’ mining lease byThe Minerals Commission over breaches of its statutory and contractual obligations.

Minerals Commission position

The Minerals Commission revoked the mining company’s lease citing breaches of its statutory and contractual obligations.

In a statement dated October 27, 2026, the Commission said the termination was carried out 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.

The Commission stated that Northern Ashanti Mines had failed to pay outstanding Annual Mineral Right (AMR) fees amounting to US$8.33 million for its mining leases covering the period from 2010 to 2025. NAML is also said to owe US$49,928 in fees relating to prospecting licences for the period from 2019 to 2025.

Nana Dr. Awuah Abedimisa II – Konongohene

According to the Commission, NAML was issued notices on April 14, 2025, requiring it to remedy the breaches and settle the outstanding amounts within a stipulated period but the company failed to comply with the notices.

The Commission further indicated that Northern Ashanti Mines had not undertaken any meaningful mining operations on the concession for more than two years, a situation it said contravened Section 69(1) of Act 703.

Following the company’s failure to remedy the breaches, the Commission said it notified the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on April 7, 2026, and sought approval to issue a termination notice. The Minister approved the request on April 24, 2026, paving the way for the Commission to terminate the mineral rights on April 30, 2026.

Chiefs profess support

As a result, the Mennamhene, Nana Tweneboah Kodua Bempah, speaking on behalf of Juansamanhene, Nana Kwaku Dankwah Opamago Kodie II, told journalists that the government was justified in terminating the company’s mineral rights, stressing that no mining firm should be shielded from accountability when it fails to fulfil its statutory obligations.

He explained that mining companies are required to meet specific responsibilities, including the payment of taxes, mineral rights fees and other statutory revenues due the state.

Nana Kwaku Dankwah Opamago Kodie II – Omanhene of Juansa

According to him, failure to honour these obligations provides sufficient grounds for the appropriate authorities to take action in accordance with the law.

Nana Tweneboah Kodua Bempah stressed that holding a mining concession did not place any company above the law, adding that the government had the authority to terminate a lease where sufficient grounds existed to establish breaches of the relevant regulations and agreements.

He also criticised companies that portray themselves as victims after being found to have breached mining laws, saying such conduct undermines efforts to promote accountability and responsible mining.

Nana Tweneboah Kodua Bempah said the new company must learn from the circumstances surrounding the termination of Northern Ashanti Mines’ lease and prioritise compliance with mining regulations, payment of statutory revenues and responsible management of the concession.

He added that the traditional authorities were prepared to engage the incoming operator to discuss development priorities and identify ways in which mining activities could support communities within the concession’s catchment area.

According to him, although the government was expected to engage the new company on matters relating to its operations, the chiefs would also hold discussions with the operator to establish a working relationship focused on cooperation, community development and sustainable growth.

The traditional authorities said such engagements would provide an opportunity to address the needs of communities affected by mining activities and encourage the new operator to recognise its responsibilities beyond mineral extraction.

Northern Ashanti Mines

They expressed the expectation that the change in ownership or management would create an opportunity for more effective mining operations, increased economic activity and improved benefits for the people of the area.

***Konongohene ***

On his part, the Chief of Konongo, Nana Dr Awuah Abedimsa II, has shown support for the revocation, describing Northern Ashanti Mines’ performance as below expectations.

According to him, the company had not demonstrated the necessary financial capacity to undertake effective gold mining operations, raising concerns about its ability to develop the concession to meet the expectations of the state and the beneficiary communities.

Nana Dr. Awuah Abedimsa II said the decision by the Minerals Commission was, therefore, necessary particularly where a company holding mineral rights was unable to demonstrate the capacity required to develop and operate the concession effectively.

He urged the Minerals Commission to ensure that the process of selecting a new operator followed the appropriate procedures, stressing the need for investors with the financial strength, technical expertise and operational efficiency to manage the concession in the interest of the nation and its beneficiaries.

The Konongo Chief suggested that the selection of a new investor should go beyond the mere transfer of mineral rights and focus on securing a company capable of translating the area’s gold resources into meaningful economic benefits.

He further called for transparency and due diligence in the process to ensure that the incoming operator could meet its statutory obligations, sustain mining activities and contribute to development within the concession’s catchment area.

**Minerals Commission CEO defends revocation **

The Chief Executive Officer for Minerals Commission, Mr. Isaac Tandoh speaking at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, October 29, 2026, rejected allegations that the Commission and the Lands and Natural Resources Minister had acted in bad faith, insisting that the Minister exercised his lawful authority before the termination process was completed.

He also disputed the company’s claim that it had paid US$1 million in annual mineral rights 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 obligations to the State.

Mr. Tandoh disclosed that Northern Ashanti Mines had since acknowledged receipt of the termination notice.

The CEO however, emphasised that 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.

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