Residents of Nsuapemso in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region were thrown into panic on Thursday, October 1, 2026, after gunshots were reportedly heard during a security operation at the offices of Nawara Mining Company.
The operation reportedly involved personnel from National Security, the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service, who entered the company’s premises to arrest the Managing Director, Accountant and other employees.
Two people are reported to have sustained injuries during the incident.
The arrested persons were later taken to the Eastern South Regional Police Command for further investigation.
The Queenmother of Nsuapemso, Obaapayin Kyerewaa I, said the sound of gunfire caused fear among residents, with some people forced to remain indoors until the operation ended.
She also raised concerns about what she described as growing insecurity in the community amid the ongoing tensions surrounding mining activities.
The latest incident comes against the backdrop of a protracted dispute between Nawara Mining Company and CMS & A&A PRO Mining Company over control of a large-scale mining concession in the Akyem Hemang/Nsuapemso area.
CMS & A&A PRO Mining Company is reportedly operating the concession following the revocation of Nawara Mining Company’s mining rights.
Nawara has challenged the takeover, insisting that it remains entitled to operate under a court injunction issued on February 19, 2026.
The company says the injunction allowed it to continue its operations while the legal dispute over the concession was being resolved.
Nawara has also accused armed personnel and civilians of previously entering its mining site, taking away equipment and gold-bearing materials, and damaging portions of its infrastructure.
Following an alleged raid on August 12, the company petitioned the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), requesting an investigation into the incident.
According to Nawara, the petition includes allegations of a death, gunshot injuries, destruction of mining equipment and the seizure of gold and gold concentrate estimated at more than GH¢100 million.
The claims have not been independently verified.
The dispute has since intensified, with both sides maintaining competing positions over the right to operate the concession.
Nawara says it has held the concession since 2011 and that its mining lease was renewed in 2020. The company maintains that the renewed lease remains valid until 2029.
The latest arrests and reported gunfire have added to concerns among residents, as the dispute over the concession continues to unfold through both administrative and legal processes.
