Announce new investor for Bogoso-Prestea Mine now – Mine workers urge Lands Minister

The Ghana Mine Workers Union (GMWU) has called on government to quickly announce a new investor for the Bogoso-Prestea mine without delay.

Addressing a news conference in Accra, the General Secretary of the Union Abdul- Moomin Gbana said the delay in announcing an investor has affected the livelihoods of workers.

In September this year, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources revoked the license of Future Global Resources.

The Ministry took the decision after an agitation by members of the Ghana Mine Workers Union. The leadership of the union complained about delays in the payment of salaries and social security benefits for the workers.

It also raised concerns about the lack of investment by the Management of Future Global Resources into the operations.

Almost three months after revoking the license, the Lands Ministry is yet to announce an investor.

“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 attention 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.

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