Employees of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine within the Western area, writing on behalf of native contractors, youth teams, and conventional leaders within the Western Area, have formally petitioned the Western Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Nelson, calling for fast authorities intervention over what they describe as a deepening disaster on the mine.
The petition, collectively signed by mine staff Richard A. Baidoo, James Quaicoe, and Samuel Ok. Wilson, outlines a bunch of pressing issues, together with alleged unauthorised actions, labour abuses, environmental threats, and mismanagement by the corporate presently working the mine, Heath Goldfields Restricted (HGL).
“We write this petition to hunt your fast and pressing intervention relating to the continuing disaster on the Bogoso-Prestea Mine—a disaster threatening 1000’s of livelihoods, group stability, and the long-term sustainability of the mine itself,” the petitioners acknowledged.
The petition was additionally copied to a number of key stakeholders, together with the Member of Parliament for Prestea Huni Valley, Hon. Robert Knowledge Cudjoe; the MCE for Prestea Huni Valley, Hon. Matthew Kofi Ayeh; divisional chiefs of the Bogoso-Prestea space; the Minister of Lands and Pure Assets, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah; and the Workplace of the President.
Background to the Disaster
The mine was offered by Golden Star Assets (GSR) to Future International Assets (FGR) in October 2020. Nevertheless, FGR’s refusal to pay severance packages to inherited workers led to protracted disputes, which have been solely partially resolved by way of a settlement settlement involving key nationwide stakeholders. FGR additionally failed to take a position adequately within the mine, resulting in its operational decline.
In December 2023, energy provide to the mine was lower by GRIDCo and VRA, additional crippling operations. Finally, in September 2024, the Ministry of Lands and Pure Assets terminated FGR’s lease after failing to satisfy situations inside a 120-day window.
Confusion Over Lease Switch
The employees declare the state of affairs has worsened because of conflicting reviews relating to the brand new leaseholder. They allege {that a} Ghanaian agency, Heath Goldfields Restricted—included solely in February 2024 with a acknowledged capital of GH₵10,000—has taken over operations, however with out clear official communication from the Ministry or the Minerals Fee.
“This has brought on deep uncertainty and unrest. The one info confirming the lease switch has come from media interviews—not from the Ministry or the Minerals Fee,” the petition learn.
The petitioners say HGL launched itself to native chiefs in February 2025 however has since didn’t formally interact staff or make clear employment phrases.
Alleged Unauthorised Actions and Abuse
The petition lists a number of critical allegations, together with:
- Unlawful gold extraction from the Course of Plant throughout unauthorised midnight operations by HGL operatives.
- Encroachment by unlawful miners and flooding underground elevating the dangers of everlasting mine collapse.
- Deterioration of the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), which now poses an actual risk of failure, probably contaminating water our bodies and endangering downstream communities.
“If left unaddressed, the state of affairs might result in a catastrophic failure… Ghana could face its first deadly TSF incident,” the petition warned.
Moreover, the petitioners allege that staff have been subjected to harassment, unfair dismissals, and threats, particularly those that query administration selections.
“The brand new administration stays faceless and inaccessible. Employees are unpaid since February 2024, with solely a small fraction allegedly receiving partial funds,” the petition famous.
Name for Authorities Motion
The petitioners are urging the Regional Minister to:
- Intervene instantly to cease abuse and unsafe working situations.
- Make clear formally who presently holds the mining lease and beneath what phrases.
- Guarantee compliance with Ghana’s labour, environmental, and mining rules.
- Facilitate the creation of a Multi-Stakeholder Oversight Committee to watch operations, involving:
- Employee representatives
- Native contractors
- Conventional leaders
- Representatives from the MCE and MP’s places of work
5. Appoint a financially and technically competent investor to take over operations and restore belief.
“Honourable Minister, the state of affairs at Bogoso-Prestea Mine is dire. Livelihoods are being misplaced, companies are collapsing, and belief in management is eroding. We’re getting ready to complete collapse, not simply of the mine, however of the group that is determined by it,” the petition concluded.
The employees say they’re able to cooperate absolutely with any investigation or mediation course of initiated by the federal government. Their plea displays rising requires transparency, security, and long-term sustainability in Ghana’s mining sector.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Feedback, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform don’t essentially signify the views or coverage of Multimedia Group Restricted.
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