The Alliance for Gban Development, a registered youth organisation, has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama over growing tensions, insecurity and a protracted mining dispute involving Nanlamtaaba Enterprise and Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited at Gbane in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region.
This was revealed on Saturday during press conference organized by a Gban group known as Alliance for Gban Development.
The group Secretary Mr. John Kpal who read out the statement, says it represents the concerns of the youth, traditional leaders and residents of Gbane. He raised concerns about what it described as a growing culture of impunity and disregard for regulatory directives amid heightened tensions in the community.
At a press briefing, the group also the reveal the situation had become particularly tense over the past eight weeks following the enforcement of a High Court order directing the Ghana Police Service to provide protection for Nanlamtaaba Enterprise to undertake mining activities in the area.
The Alliance stressed that while it respected the authority of the courts, it believed the enforcement of judicial decisions must also take into account community safety, peace and stability.
According to the group, a Minerals Commission investigative survey conducted in the Gbane area in 2015 established that gold deposits in the area were deep-seated and recommended that the area be reserved for large-scale mining operations.
The group said the government subsequently approved the recommendation and blocked out the Gbane area for large-scale mining.
Following the acquisition of its mining lease, Earl International reportedly engaged affected small-scale concession holders, with the process facilitated by the Minerals Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Upper East Regional Security Council.
The Alliance said that in July 2021, Earl International entered into an agreement with affected small-scale concession owners, including Nanlamtaaba, under which the concessionaires were to receive two per cent of Earl’s gross production twice annually.
It further alleged that goodwill payments were also made to affected concession owners.
The youth group claimed that Nanlamtaaba’s Managing Director had acknowledged receiving substantial payments from Earl International, although he subsequently indicated that he believed the payments were intended for transportation and related expenses.
The group said a High Court in Bolgatanga subsequently issued an interim ruling allowing Nanlamtaaba to undertake mining activities in Gbane, with the Ghana Police Service ordered to provide security.
While reiterating its respect for the judiciary, the Alliance questioned the basis for allowing Nanlamtaaba to operate, claiming that records from the Minerals Commission indicate that the company’s 25-acre mining licence expired on May 14, 2025.
It further argued that possessing a mining licence alone was insufficient, as mining operators are also required to obtain the necessary operating and environmental permits.
The group therefore questioned why Nanlamtaaba was allegedly allowed to continue mining despite what it described as regulatory concerns.
A major concern raised at the press briefing was the security arrangements surrounding the enforcement of the court order.
The Alliance questioned whether the police were still providing the protection directed by the court, claiming that armed individuals who were neither police officers nor personnel of a registered security company had instead been seen providing security for Nanlamtaaba’s operations.
The group alleged that some of these individuals had been involved in confrontations with residents.
According to the Alliance, armed personnel carrying pump-action firearms recently entered underground workings belonging to Earl International. During the incident, it said, one of Nanlamtaaba’s armed guards accidentally shot himself in the foot and had to be carried out of the mine by Earl International security personnel.
The group said it had photographs and video footage relating to the incident.
The Alliance also alleged that three young men from Gbane were recently assaulted by armed security guards allegedly associated with Nanlamtaaba after they were found sitting under a tree near an area claimed by the mining company.
According to the group, the incident nearly escalated into a major confrontation before the intervention of military personnel and community elders.
The youth organisation said such incidents were creating fear among residents and could potentially trigger wider conflict if not addressed urgently.
The group also raised concerns over directives issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines ordering the cessation of mining operations by both Earl International and Nanlamtaaba.
It said Nanlamtaaba allegedly continued its activities despite an earlier directive.
The Alliance further referred to a September 2, 2026 directive ordering a two-week cessation of operations.
While acknowledging the regulator’s authority to suspend mining activities where necessary, the group questioned why the latest directive allegedly affected areas far beyond the disputed concession.
It expressed concern about the impact of the shutdown on the estimated 2,000 workers associated with Earl International and their families.
The youth group argued that if the dispute concerns a specific area, regulatory restrictions should be limited to that area rather than affecting an entire mining operation.
The Alliance said it was not asking President Mahama to overturn the High Court’s decision, stressing that such a decision falls within the jurisdiction of the judiciary.
Instead, it called on the government to ensure that the court’s order for state security was properly implemented.
Among its demands, the group called for:
The provision of professional, uniformed security personnel to enforce the court order where necessary.
The removal of what it described as untrained armed guards from the area.
Enforcement of directives issued by the Minerals Commission and the Chief Inspector of Mines.
Investigations into the alleged assault of the three Gbane youths.
Investigations into alleged seizure of property and the reported underground shooting incident.
Prosecution of persons found culpable of criminal offences.
An explanation from the Ghana Police Service regarding its alleged acceptance of a motorbike reportedly seized by private actors.
Immediate measures to prevent the mining dispute from escalating into an inter-community conflict.
“We Are Restraining Our Youth”
The Alliance warned that the continued tensions could have serious consequences if the state failed to intervene.
It said community elders and residents had so far exercised restraint and worked to prevent the situation from degenerating into violence.
The group, however, cautioned that such restraint could not be taken for granted indefinitely.
“We are not partisans in a commercial fight. We are citizens defending our home. We do not seek conflict. We seek order, justice and peace,” the group stated.
The Alliance also expressed solidarity with workers affected by the shutdown of Earl International’s operations, particularly the nearly 2,000 workers it said had been sent home.
The youth organisation urged the media to give the matter extensive coverage, arguing that the dispute goes beyond competing mining interests.
It said the issues involve the rule of law, community security, regulatory compliance, worker welfare and the prevention of possible inter-communal violence.
The group disclosed that it had formally petitioned President John Dramani Mahama and submitted evidence relating to the concerns raised at the press briefing.
It said it remained committed to peaceful engagement but would continue to demand action to protect residents and uphold the rule of law.
The Alliance concluded that if Nanlamtaaba is permitted to undertake mining activities in Gbane, such operations should be conducted under the professional security arrangements ordered by the court and in compliance with all applicable mining and environmental regulations, rather than under the control of privately armed individuals.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com