E/R: Akyem Abuakwa Chiefs Give CMS Pro-AA One-Week Ultimatum to Vacate Fischer Concession
Chiefs from the Nifa and Adonten divisions of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area have appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in the ongoing dispute over the Fischer Mining Concession, accusing CMS Pro-AA Southern Industries of entering the area with military personnel without proper consultation with the traditional authorities.
At a press conference held at the forecourt of the Akyem Ettokrom Palace on October 27, 2026, the Chief of Akyem Ettokrom, Barimah Etto Adomako III, gave the company a one-week ultimatum to vacate the concession, warning that the community would take action if it failed to comply.
Barimah Etto Adomako III explained that his predecessors documented the stool lands in 1907 under the title Biremso and subsequently leased part of the land to Fischer Rubber Plantation for a period of 100 years. He said the lease had expired and that further arrangements were pending to determine whether it would be renewed or revoked.
He maintained that the land belonged to the Ettokrom stool and expressed concern over reports that CMS Pro-AA Southern Industries, allegedly linked to Alfred Mahama, the brother of President John Dramani Mahama, had entered the area with military personnel, creating fear among farmers and residents.
The chief also disputed claims that CMS Pro-AA Southern Industries had consulted the traditional authorities regarding its operations and efforts to combat illegal mining. He said he had heard the company's position at a press conference but noted that the chiefs present at the gathering had confirmed that no such consultations had taken place.
He further questioned the basis of the company's presence, given that Narawa Mining Company's licence had reportedly been revoked over indebtedness to the Minerals Commission.
He asked whether CMS Pro-AA Southern Industries intended to undertake mining activities and settle Narawa Mining Company's outstanding debt or take over the concession without providing the necessary mining documents when requested.
The Ettokrom chief also rejected claims that the military personnel were in the area solely to undertake reclamation activities. According to him, the soldiers had begun constructing structures believed to be intended as a camp, raising fears among residents and particularly affecting farmers' ability to carry out their activities.
He said the Eastern South Regional Police Command had been notified of the situation and reiterated his call on President Mahama to intervene before the one-week ultimatum expired.
The Chief of Akyem Abompe, Barimah Kwabena Addo II, also expressed concern about the presence of military personnel in the community, describing the situation as alarming.
He questioned the need for military deployment in the area, arguing that the country was operating under a democratic system where the rule of law should prevail.
According to him, there was no conflict on the land that warranted the presence of armed military personnel, and he called for their withdrawal to pave the way for an amicable resolution.
Barimah Kwabena Addo II further stated that the traditional authorities and community members outnumbered the deployed military personnel but were unarmed. He warned that tensions could escalate if the matter was not resolved within the one-week ultimatum.
For his part, the Chief of Akyem Osino, Osabarima Otu Darko II, questioned whether CMS Pro-AA Southern Industries had been authorised to take over the concession to recover Narawa Mining Company's outstanding obligations or whether the government intended to pursue the matter through the appropriate regulatory channels.
He also raised security concerns, alleging that military personnel associated with CMS Pro-AA Southern Industries had chased and shot at security personnel of Narawa Mining Company at Osino.
Osabarima Otu Darko II further alleged that another person was shot at Akyem Hemang while attempting to record an incident, while a separate incident at Osino reportedly left another person with a gunshot wound to the hand.
He said the alleged shootings and reported extortion of money from miners by military personnel had heightened tensions in the area and threatened the peace of the affected communities.
The Osino chief also expressed concern about the impact of the situation on farmers, some of whom he said were unable to access their farms, affecting their livelihoods.
He called for broader engagement between the government and traditional authorities to establish a clear roadmap for addressing illegal mining and resolving the concession dispute.
He also rejected attempts to associate the chiefs with illegal mining activities, arguing that politicians should be held accountable for their respective roles in addressing the problem.
The chiefs called for peaceful dialogue and collective efforts by the government and traditional authorities to resolve the dispute and restore calm to the affected communities.
Community members and journalists were present at the press conference.
Credit: Nana Kwasi Asare
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