Angry residents of Akango, Salman and Nkroful in the Western Region of Ghana have accused the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, of bias in his decision to uphold the revocation of Adamus Resources’ mining lease.
The residents, who say their communities have depended on the mining company and its operations for years, are calling on President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and review the Lands minister’s decision.
They warned that the revocation could have far-reaching economic and social consequences for the affected communities.
They acknowledge that Adamus Resources has been accused of engaging in illegal mining, a development they believe may have contributed to the revocation of its mining lease, despite the company’s repeated denial of the allegations.
The Lands and Natural Resources Minister announced the decision after receiving the report of a Ministerial Review Committee established to consider a petition by Adamus Resources following the initial decision to revoke its mining lease.
Speaking during a working visit to the Adamus Resources Mine at Salman on Friday, August 7, 2026, the Minister said the review committee had considered the concerns raised by the company but had largely affirmed the breaches identified in the initial assessment.
He said the findings of the committee had therefore given him sufficient grounds to uphold the original revocation of the mining lease.
The decision has, however, not gone down well with residents in communities within the mine’s operational area in the Ellembelle district in the Western region.
The residents argue that Adamus Resources has operated in the area for many years and has, directly and indirectly, become part of the economic life of the surrounding communities.
They fear that the revocation of the company’s lease could affect livelihoods, local businesses and other economic activities that have developed around the mine over the years.
Some of the residents are questioning what specific actions by the company warranted the decision to revoke its mining lease, particularly after the company petitioned government and a review committee was constituted to examine the matter.
The residents say while government has the responsibility to enforce the country’s mining laws and protect Ghana’s mineral resources, decisions affecting major investments should also be subjected to due process and take into account their wider implications.
They are demanding further clarity on the breaches cited against Adamus Resources and why the lease had to be revoked even after the review process.
They insist that if the company breached the law, the people deserve to know the nature of those breaches and the basis upon which the final decision was reached.
“We want to know what exactly the company did to deserve this decision. If there were breaches, the people deserve to know the details and what measures were taken to address them,” some residents said.
Speaking to the media during a street protest on Monday, August 10, 2026, some residents also expressed concern about what they described as a lack of clarity surrounding the Minister’s decision.
Some of them alleged that the minister could be acting in his personal interest, although no evidence was provided to substantiate the allegation.
They called on the minister to ensure that the matter is handled transparently and strictly in accordance with the law, stressing that decisions involving major investments should not be seen as being driven by individual interests.
The furious residents maintained that government institutions must follow the proper procedures in dealing with the company and ensure that the interests of the state, the investor and host communities are all protected.
The residents are particularly worried about the possible effect of the decision on employment and businesses in the area.
According to them, the presence of the mine has created economic opportunities for residents, while several businesses and service providers have also benefited from activities connected to the mining operation.
They fear that prolonged uncertainty surrounding the future of the mine could deepen economic difficulties in the affected communities.
They are therefore appealing to government to consider the potential social and economic consequences of the revocation before taking further steps.
The residents have consequently appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in the matter and find a solution that will protect the interests of the communities while ensuring that the country does not lose valuable investment opportunities.
They warned that the manner in which the Adamus Resources Limited issue is handled could have implications beyond the immediate mining area, particularly for Ghana’s efforts to attract foreign investors into the mining sector.
Some argued that foreign investors could become concerned if major mining investments have their licences revoked without what they consider sufficient explanation or assurance regarding the security of their investments.
They want the government to demonstrate that Ghana remains committed to the rule of law and the protection of legitimate investments while enforcing its mining regulations.
Story by Emmanuel Mensah, Nkroful
