Earl International Group (GH) Gold Limited says it remains open to providing former employee Godfred Nongbezina Nabil with a functional prosthetic arm, following an investigative report detailing his years-long effort to secure the device after losing his right arm in a workplace accident.
The company’s Public Relations Officer, Albert Azongo, said Earl International had not closed the door on Nabil’s request and was willing to engage him over the type of prosthesis he says he needs to regain greater independence.
Mr. Azongo made the comments on A1 Radio in response to an August 21, 2026 investigative report by The Fourth Estate on the dispute between Nabil and his former employer.
Nabil, a former mechanic with the mining company, lost his right arm following an underground workplace accident in May 2023.
The Fourth Estate reported that Nabil has been seeking a functional prosthetic arm rather than a cosmetic replacement, arguing that a functional device would improve his ability to perform everyday activities and work.
Responding to the investigation, Mr. Azongo said the company’s position should not be interpreted as a refusal to support Nabil.
He said Earl International’s doors remained open and indicated that the company was prepared to consider providing a functional prosthesis if that was what Nabil required.
The comments represent a potential development in a dispute that has continued despite the company paying Nabil GH¢207,712 in compensation for the permanent injury he sustained.
Documents relating to the case show that Earl International Group (GH) Gold Limited and Nabil signed a compensation agreement on August 9, 2024.
The agreement states that Nabil was employed as a mechanic when he sustained an injury arising out of and in the course of his employment on May 17, 2023.
Under the agreement, the company paid him GH¢207,712 in compensation under the Workmen’s Compensation Law, 1987, PNDC Law 187.
An acquittal receipt signed by Nabil on the same date records that he received the full amount as compensation for the injury. The document states that he had been fully and adequately compensated and had nothing further to claim in respect of the same injury.
The Bolgatanga Labour Department had earlier confirmed the amount in a July 29, 2024 letter, indicating that GH¢207,712 was payable to Nabil as compensation.
The payment, however, has not resolved the separate disagreement over the prosthetic arm.
According to the employer’s accident report, Nabil was working as a mechanic underground on May 17, 2023, when his right hand became trapped in the rotating conveyor belt of a gathering arm.
The accident resulted in the amputation of his right arm between the elbow and shoulder.
The Fourth Estate reported that Nabil was trapped for about 30 minutes before being rescued and taken to hospital. He subsequently underwent an above-elbow amputation.
A medical report contained in the compensation documents describes the injury as a “mangled right upper limb” and assesses his permanent incapacity at 70%.
The company and Nabil, however, have offered differing accounts of how the disagreement over the prosthesis developed.
According to The Fourth Estate, Earl International said medical professionals initially advised that a non-functional prosthesis would be sufficient, citing the cost and maintenance requirements associated with a functional device.
The company subsequently requested an invoice for the proposed prosthesis but said it was later informed that Nabil wanted a functional replacement.
Nabil disputed that account in The Fourth Estate’s report, maintaining that he had requested a functional prosthesis from the outset, including during a visit to a prosthetics and orthotics centre in Duayaw Nkwanta.
The Fourth Estate also reported that Earl International raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the accident and alleged that Nabil had failed to follow safety procedures.
However, the investigative outlet said its review of an earlier media interview did not find Nabil admitting that he used his bare hand to remove stones from the machine, as alleged by the company. Instead, The Fourth Estate said Nabil described using water to wash sludge from the machine.
Compensation documents available to A1 Radio do not contain a finding that the accident resulted from misconduct or that Nabil was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time.
With compensation for the workplace injury already paid, the unresolved issue is whether Nabil will receive the functional prosthetic arm he says he needs and what role Earl International will play in providing it.
Speaking to the journalist who wrote the story, Salifu Abdul-Gafaru Ayamdoo, Nabil maintained that his request goes beyond replacing the appearance of the arm he lost.
He said a functional prosthesis could help him regain greater independence, improve his ability to work and adjust to life with a permanent disability.
Mr. Azongo’s latest comments leave open the possibility of further engagement between Nabil and Earl International over providing the functional prosthetic arm.
A1 Radio | 101.1Mhz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga
