Two mining companies clash over concession

An Nkawie Community tribunal has remanded nine persons including two chiefs in police custody following a clash between security officers of two gold mining companies in the Amansie West District.

Nana Kofi Akwaboah, Chief of Geninso and Nana Atuku Barfour, Nkosuohene of Akataniase and seven others were allegedly implicated in a clash between the security officers of Bonte Goldmines Limited and Lost Valley Mining Company over concession rights.

Their pleas were not taken and would reappear on 25 April 2002. Assistant Superintendent of Police Samuel Obuobi Anyafo, Abuakwa District Police Commander told the Ghana News Agency, that he received a complaint from a security officer of Bonte Goldmines that Lost Valley Mining Company, which is also known as King Midas Company, had trespassed and was mining within its concession.

He said on 10 April, Mr Francis Nkansah Agyare, Deputy Chief Security Officer of Bonte, came to the police at Abuakwa to ask for permission to go and drive away the workers of Lost Valley from their concession.

ASP Anyafo said he refused to give them the permission because the Lost Valley Security officers were also armed even though Bonte had many more officers. He said he reported the matter to the Atwima District Security Council, which wrote letters to both companies on 12 April to come for settlement.

However, on 14 April 2002 two security officers of Bonte came to report that Nana Akwaboah had mobilised young men in his town to attack workers of Bonte, who were repairing a broken down excavator about three kilometres from the disputed land.

The attackers deflated the tyres of a pickup vehicle the mechanics had used to get to the place, locked the glasses and took away the keys and threatened to return to burn the excavator and the pickup.

ASP Anyafo said he reported the matter to his Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent I.K. Kugbey, who directed him to go and assess the situation. When he got to Geninso with seven policemen, he met Nana Akwaboah in his palace but the chief sent for his people, who flocked into the palace.

In the face of the confusion that was brewing they retreated. He said on Tuesday with a team of 16 soldiers and 12 policemen they were able to restore peace in the area and Nana Akwaboah was arrested at Manso Nkwanta, where he had gone to see the Paramount Chief.

ASP Anyafo said Patrick Wallen, a Dutch but resident in Canada, Kyei Kwarteng, Mining Engineer and Kenneth Kunkyebe, Site Manager all of Lost Valley, who were arrested have been given police inquiry bail, while investigations continue.