Court Stops Tang Wei From Entering Panbros Salt Lands

The High Court has stopped Chinese investor Tang Wei and his associate, Nii Adam Kwartei Quartey, from entering land currently occupied by Panbros Salt Limited.

The injunction comes as the two parties await a final decision on who legally owns the property.The land in question is located at McCarthy Hill in the Weija-Gbawe District of the Greater Accra Region.

Tang Wei and Quartey had filed a lawsuit claiming ownership, saying they intend to build an estate and factories on the land. However, while the court case was still ongoing, they entered the property and began construction work. This prompted Panbros Salt Limited to seek an immediate injunction to prevent further interference.

In his ruling, High Court judge William Boampong, highlighted that Panbros Salt Limited’s occupation of the land had not been denied by Tang Wei or Quartey. As a result, he restrained the two men from entering the property until the ownership dispute is resolved.

“Since the plaintiffs had not disputed the Defendants/Applicants occupation of the disputed land, I would grant this application as prayed and restrain the plaintiffs from entry of the disputed land to carry out any form of activity whatsoever.

 I restrain the plaintiffs from interfering with the Defendants/ Applicants’ occupation of the disputed land. I further restrain both parties from granting any rights or interests in the disputed property to any person,” the ruling dated November 21, 2025, read in part.

The disagreement centers on land acquisition. Panbros Salt Limited claims it legally purchased the land from the James Town Stool and obtained the necessary mining licenses. Tang Wei, on the other hand, says he bought the land in 2019 from the Gbawe Kwartei Family.

Even though Tang Wei and Quartey are plaintiffs in the ownership case, their presence on the site, backed by armed security, has reportedly intimidated Panbros workers. The local workers’ union says employees face psychological stress due to the constant presence of armed police, national security operatives, and private land guards.

Over 1,000 staff of Panbros Salt Industries Limited, along with residents in the Weija area, have expressed fear of losing their jobs amid the dispute. The heavy security presence has created a tense working environment, as officers appear to take sides in the conflict.

Mr. Evans Kofi Otoo, chairman of the local workers’ union, told the media:

“We no longer feel safe seeing armed police, national security operatives and landguards patrolling the area and covertly supporting the Chinese national whose activities threaten the operations of Panbros.”

He added that the government seems indifferent to the plight of workers whose livelihoods are at risk.

Tang Wei’s planned project includes a roofing sheet manufacturing plant and a water storage tank factory. He claims the project will benefit communities and employ more Ghanaians.

However, the Weija Gbawe Municipal Assembly has confirmed that Tang Wei has not received any permits from local authorities or the Environmental Protection Agency to begin construction.

The land is part of the Densu Delta Ramsar Site, a protected area, and some residents say unauthorised development has caused flooding during the rainy season. Tang Wei, who also owns the Empire Cement Factory in the same area, a project previously opposed by residents, insists his development is legal.

On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Tang Wei reportedly returned to the Panbros site with heavily armed officers from the SWAT Unit and National Security, digging a trench near the salt refinery. He defended the move, saying he faced resistance from Panbros workers and had a right to secure his property. Tang Wei also claims he has naturalised as a Ghanaian citizen, asserting that he “deserves protection to secure his legally acquired property.”

Panbros management criticized Tang Wei’s actions, noting that taking the law into one’s own hands could prejudice the court case.

“It is very wrong for Tang Wei to act in a manner that may affect the outcome of the case. It is also wrong for the police and national security, who know the matter is in court, to provide assistance without a court order,” a company representative said.