Human rights lawyer Martin Kpebu has joined youth and residents of the Upper East Region in a demonstration in Bolgatanga, demanding the release of businessman Zongdan Boyak Kolog, popularly known as Master Polo, who has been remanded into custody amid a longstanding mining dispute in the Talensi District.
Master Polo, Chief Executive Officer of Nanlamtaaba Mining Enterprise, was reportedly arrested on October 14, 2026, by the Ghana Police Service’s Special Police Operations Unit, popularly known as the Black Cobra, amid tensions in the Gbane-Namoaligo mining enclave.
He appeared before a court in Accra on October 19 and was remanded into custody for two weeks over alleged illegal mining, firearms-related offences and incitement in connection with the dispute. The allegations remain before the court.
The demonstrators petitioned President John Dramani Mahama through the Upper East Regional Minister, seeking his intervention in the dispute between Nanlamtaaba Mining Enterprise and Earl International Group (Ghana) Gold Limited, formerly Shaanxi Mining Ghana Limited.
Speaking during the demonstration, Mr Kpebu said the petition sought police protection for Nanlamtaaba’s mining concession to enable the company’s management and workers to continue their operations without interference.
According to him, a High Court ruling in a dispute involving Nanlamtaaba, Shaanxi Minerals and other government agencies had permitted the company to continue operating pending further proceedings.
Mr Kpebu claimed that the Inspector-General of Police and his team had reviewed the court order and authorised its implementation, but alleged that some individuals had obstructed the police from enforcing it.
The company’s legal team has cited a High Court order issued in Bolgatanga on November 21, 2025, and reportedly reaffirmed on June 8, 2026, as the basis for its claim that Nanlamtaaba is entitled to continue operating its concession.
According to the legal team, the order followed a review of the company’s permits, while police assistance in implementing it reportedly began in July 2026.
Mr Kpebu called on President Mahama to intervene to ensure that the police could perform their duties without obstruction.
He also warned that the continued disruption of mining activities and the resulting unemployment could pose threats to national security.
The demonstrators accused Earl International Group of encroaching on Nanlamtaaba’s mining concession and alleged that the government was favouring the foreign-owned mining company in the dispute.
They argued that the alleged interference had affected the livelihoods of workers and their families who depended on Master Polo’s mining operations.
“Master Polo is feeding the youth, while the Chinese are feeding the politicians,” the demonstrators said, expressing frustration over what they described as unequal treatment of the two companies.
The protesters maintained that Master Polo’s business had created employment opportunities for young people in the Talensi District and warned that the continued dispute could worsen unemployment in the area.
They called on President Mahama to ensure that the court’s ruling is respected, the police are allowed to carry out their duties and Nanlamtaaba’s workers can resume operations without interference.
The demonstrators also demanded Master Polo’s release and a fair resolution of the mining dispute to protect livelihoods and promote peace in the Talensi District.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Anaba Azubire | Bolgatanga
