Accra:Management of CMS-PRO and AA Southern Industries, the companies aiming to operate the Nsuapemso mining concession, have denied allegations linking businessman Alfred Mahama to the revocation of Nawara Company Limited's mining licence and the subsequent takeover of the concession.
According to Ghana Web, the two firms have asserted that Mahama, brother of President John Dramani Mahama, had no involvement in the decision to revoke Nawara's licence. They maintain that the revocation was due to regulatory and financial compliance issues faced by Nawara.
In a statement addressing the controversy, CMS-PRO and AA Southern Industries rejected allegations reportedly made by Nawara during a press conference in Accra, where Mahama was allegedly associated with a purported violent takeover of the Nsuapemso concession.
The companies urged that the revocation should not be attributed to the influence of any government official or private businessman, emphasizing that the Minerals Commission had publicly explained the regulatory basis for its decision. They encouraged the public to consider the Commission's explanation and the circumstances surrounding the revocation before drawing conclusions about Mahama's alleged involvement.
The Minerals Commission justified its decision by highlighting outstanding annual mineral rights payments from Nawara amounting to approximately US$990,000. Frank Asare, the Commission's Director of Mineral Titles, stated that Nawara failed to settle its obligations within the stipulated timeframe, leading to the licence's revocation on September 3, 2025.
Asare clarified that once a licence is revoked, the former holder loses rights to the concession, allowing other companies to apply for it, provided they meet legal and regulatory requirements. Any outstanding debts remain the responsibility of Nawara.
The dispute over the Nsuapemso concession involves public debate on the revocation's circumstances, alleged violence, and the legal status of the former concession. The allegations of wrongdoing require assessment based on verifiable evidence by the appropriate authorities.