The Ghana Mine Workers Union (GMWU) has urged the government to swiftly announce a new investor for the Bogoso-Prestea mine, citing the prolonged uncertainty as a major concern for the livelihoods of the workers.
In a press conference held in Accra, the Union’s General Secretary, Abdul-Moomin Gbana, expressed frustration over the delay, which he claims has had a detrimental effect on the workers, who are facing increasing hardship due to the lack of clarity regarding the mine’s future.
The situation began in September, when the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources revoked the license of Future Global Resources, the company previously managing the mine.
This decision followed complaints raised by the GMWU about persistent delays in salary payments, social security benefits, and a lack of investment in the operations by the company.
Workers had agitated for these issues to be addressed, but their grievances were not resolved in a timely manner, prompting the Ministry’s intervention.
Nearly three months after the license revocation, the Ministry has yet to announce a new investor, leaving workers in limbo and raising concerns about the future of the mine.
Gbana emphasized that the delay is exacerbating the financial insecurity of the workers, who are eager for a resolution to restore stability to the mine and their jobs.
The GMWU is calling on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to act quickly, ensuring that the workers’ interests are prioritized and the mine is brought back to full operational capacity under new ownership.
“Right from September up to November and we are not hearing anything, we deeply have to be concerned, even though the mine is currently under Minerals Commission we see a sign of hope. But the rate at which decisions ought to be made, we believe the Minister ought to pay a lot of attenti on to Bogoso-Prestea Mine,” Mr Gbana stated.
“This matter has been in the media quite too long, we believe a decisive action ought to be taken. So, we are calling on the Minister, we are calling on the government that workers of the Bogoso Prestea mines are frustrated, we need to chart a new course,” he stressed.
“The communities of Bogoso Prestea cannot wait to see the return of the mine and so the Minister and the government of President Akufo-Addo ought to hasten the pace and get this announcement out,” Mr Gbana added.
“What we are saying is that livelihoods are at stake, incomes are stake. The domestic economy of Bogoso-Prestea, practically nothing is going on. And it is in the interest of the government to ensure that at least they hasten the pace and that is basically what we are calling on government to do.”
“It is not the intention of the Union to sidestep the process anyway. Infact, we have closely monitored the progress of work as far as the future of Bogoso-Prestea mine is concerned.
“To the extent that the Minerals Commission is mandated by law and so if they have done the due diligence and come out with a recommendation, I expect that the Minister will not hesitate to proceed,” Mr Gbana noted.
