There was jubilation in the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area (Ellembelle Maanle) on Wednesday April 29, 2026 as the Omanhene, His Royal Majesty Awulae Blay IX, broke his silence on the government’s revocation of Adamus Resources Limited’s mining license.
Speaking to a packed gathering of elders, youth, and press at the Saa Nyamenle Royal Palace in Atuabo, the Paramount Chief confirmed that three days ago, on April 26, 2026, the government officially cancelled the mining leases covering the troubled Akango, Salman, and Nkroful concessions.
“The elephant has been removed from our bowl of rice,” His Royal Majesty Awulae Blay IX declared to a roaring applause. “The nightmare is over.”
According to the Omanhene, the revocation followed a thorough investigation by the Minerals Commission under the directive of the Lands Minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah. The findings painted a grim picture of regulatory breaches.
His Royal Majesty Awulae Blay IX detailed the charges against the company, which include:
· Illegal Subcontracting: Operating without ministerial approval by unlawfully handing over operations to third parties.
· Foreign Involvement: Allowing foreign nationals, specifically Chinese operatives, to engage in illegal mining (Galamsey) on the concessions.
· Environmental Anarchy: Operating without approved mining plans and valid EPA permits, leading to severe land degradation and water pollution.
“We are not opposed to mining. We are opposed to destruction,” the King stated firmly. “When the government speaks about ‘foreign involvement,’ it is not xenophobia; it is the protection of our sovereignty. We saw foreign excavators tearing apart our ancestral lands while the company looked the other way.”
The Eastern Nzema Traditional Area used the platform to heap praise on the John Dramani Mahama administration for what they called a “courageous stand against corporate greed.”
His Royal Majesty Awulae Blay IX noted that the President has kept his promise to “reset” Ghana by prioritizing the environment over gold.
“To His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama… you promised to protect our water bodies. You promised that the era of ‘see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil’ regarding galamsey was over. You have kept your word,” the Omanhene said.
Special recognition was given to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, a native of the Western Region. “You have done what many Ministers feared to do. You have stood up to a multinational corporation. You have chosen the side of the people.”
Anticipating legal pushback from the mining giant, the Omanhene issued a stern warning to the government not to back down.
The King dismissed claims by Adamus Resources of a “breach of due process,” arguing that the people of Akango have been “notifying” authorities of water pollution for years without response from the company.
“I urge President Mahama and Hon. Buah not to bow to the pressure or legal threats from Adamus Resources,” he cautioned. “Do not reinstate this license. Do not negotiate with those who poisoned our waters.”
As part of the press statement, His Royal Majesty Awulae Blay IX issued three immediate directives:
1. Security: The Military and Police currently deployed on the Adamus concession must remain until the last piece of equipment is removed.
2. Restoration: The EPA must be invited immediately to assess the damage so Adamus can be made to pay for restoration.
3. Vigilance: Chiefs of affected communities must ensure no illegal miner exploits the vacuum left by the company.
Addressing the local youth directly, the Omanhene warned against “celebrating” by engaging in Galamsey themselves. “Do not go back to the pits… Let us protect the land so that the land will protect us,” he urged, promising to replace the void with responsible Community Mining Schemes (CMS).
The traditional ruler offered a prayer for the President’s safety, referencing unseen political threats.
“We pray that the ancestors of Nzema protect President John Dramani Mahama. We pray that anyone in the opposition or in the shadows who plots to remove him from the Flagstaff House… shall be exposed and disgraced.”
The Omanhene concluded by declaring the revocation a victory for the rule of law, the environment, and the people of Eastern Nzema.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
