A miner who survived a near deadly violent attack linked to a disputed mining concession at Akyem Pameng in the Atiwa West District of the Eastern Region is appealing to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to intervene and ensure justice is served.
The incident, which occurred during a dispute over a mining concession, left three people with serious injuries and three vehicles extensively vandalised.
The complainant, Ibrahim Emmanuel, Director of Atimax Mining Limited, has alleged that a prominent Eastern Regional politician and a miner associated with Extra Gold Mining Company were allegedly behind the attack.
However, these allegations have not been proven, no charges have been filed against the individuals mentioned, and no arrests have been made.
Speaking about the incident, Mr. Emmanuel claimed:
“David called me on the phone and said the illegal miners we had arrested were his people. He pleaded with me to release them. I told him I was on my way to another site. Suddenly, the attack started. I was in someone’s vehicle when I overheard Mike saying they had sent the boys to eliminate me.”
According to Mr. Emmanuel, Atimax Mining Limited had earlier carried out an operation, accompanied by military personnel, to remove alleged illegal miners from a concession the company says it legally acquired through a mining lease granted by the Minerals Commission.
He said that while he, his surveyor and a driver were leaving the concession, they were ambushed by dozens of young men on motorbikes allegedly armed with cutlasses and other offensive weapons, who accused them of being armed robbers before attacking them.
Mr. Emmanuel stated that although the military personnel considered opening fire to repel the attackers, he advised them against doing so to avoid loss of life and instead urged them to withdraw.
He alleged that the attackers surrounded his Toyota V8 vehicle and slashed its tyres, forcing him to flee into a nearby bush despite sustaining cutlass wounds. According to him, the assailants pursued him until he swam across a river, where he was eventually rescued.
His driver and surveyor were reportedly captured, severely assaulted and later rescued before being rushed to hospital for medical treatment.
The attackers also allegedly vandalised three company vehicles—two Toyota Land Cruiser V8s and one Toyota Camry.
Mr. Emmanuel further claimed that more than GH¢400,000 in cash and a pistol were stolen from the vehicles during the attack.
The dispute stems from a petition submitted by Atimax Mining Limited to the Atiwa West District Chief Executive on February 18, 2026, requesting urgent intervention over what the company described as illegal mining activities on its legally leased concession.
In the petition, the company appealed to the District Assembly to investigate the alleged illegal mining activities, remove unauthorized miners from the concession and provide adequate security to enable it to exercise what it says are its lawful mining rights. The company indicated that it attached all relevant mining lease documents issued by the Minerals Commission to support its claim.
The case is currently under investigation by the Kibi Police under the Eastern South Regional Police Command.
Mr. Emmanuel has expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the investigation, saying that despite the seriousness of the attack, no arrests have been made. He is therefore appealing directly to the Inspector-General of Police to ensure a thorough, impartial and swift investigation into the matter.
The Ghana Police Service has not yet issued an official statement on the allegations against the individuals named by the complainant. Investigations are ongoing, and the claims remain allegations until established through the appropriate legal process.
Source : www.kumasimail.com
