Former Member of Parliament for Obuasi East, Edward Enin, has condemned the military takeover of Northern Ashanti Mines in the Ashanti Region. According to him, the operation was akin to a "Rambo-style" action and described it as undemocratic.
Mr. Enin expressed concern that the military gave workers only one hour to remove their belongings and that they had to hire a KIA truck to retrieve their valuables. He stated that the company, Northern Ashanti Mines, is an indigenous Ghanaian company and that seizing it with military force is not the right approach, even if it has violated laws.
Mr. Enin also expressed worry that Ghanaian authorities easily give concessions to Chinese companies, which he believes will lead to Ghanaian mineral resources being controlled by foreigners. The company has filed an interlocutory injunction against the Minerals Commission, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and the Attorney General, seeking to prevent the takeover of its $110 million mine in Konongo.
According to Kessben Online, Northern Ashanti Mines Limited has also filed an application for judicial review, challenging the termination of its mining lease.