By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY, Huniso
Traditional authorities and residents of communities hosting the Tarkwa Mine have thrown their support behind Gold Fields Ghana Limited and called on government to renew the company’s mining lease when it expires in 2027.
They warned that any decision to deny the company a lease renewal could jeopardise thousands of jobs, weaken local businesses and disrupt economic activity across the Tarkwa-Nsuaem municipality in Western Region.
According to them, the company has become a critical partner in the area’s socio-economic development.
Their intervention comes amid growing debate over future ownership and management of Tarkwa Mine following proposals by some stakeholders, including the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), that the mine should be placed under Ghanaian control and operated by local mining entities after the current lease expires.
Addressing a press conference at Huniso, community leaders maintained that while increasing local participation in the mining sector is a laudable objective, any transition must be guided by technical competence, financial strength and operational experience.
An opinion leader of Huniso, Joseph Frederick Anderson, said the discussion should focus on what will best protect jobs, sustain production and preserve economic stability in the mining enclave.
“The mine supports thousands of workers, contractors, traders and service providers. Any interruption of operations will have serious consequences for families and businesses that are dependent on the mine,” he said.
He explained that managing a world-class mining operation such as Tarkwa Mine requires substantial capital investment and technical expertise, cautioning against decisions that could destabilise one of Ghana’s most important mining assets.
The Chief of Huniso, Nana Nvida, urged President John Dramani Mahama and government to consider the direct benefits communities have derived from Gold Fields over the years.
He cited major investments in road infrastructure, healthcare, education and scholarship programmes that have improved living standards and expanded opportunities for young people.
“Many families have benefitted from the scholarship scheme, including my son and many community projects funded by Gold Fields. We have witnessed the impact ourselves and believe the company deserves the opportunity to continue operating,” he stated.
Adding her voice, the Queen Mother of Huniso, Obaahema Yaa Damoah, said several critical projects in the community including a CHPS compound, water systems and a community centre among others were financed by Gold Fields.
She noted that the projects have significantly improved healthcare delivery and general welfare in the area.
“These interventions have changed lives. We believe more development can be achieved if the lease is renewed,” she said.
She was quick to point out that Huniso has never benefitted from any government project except that of the company.
The support for Gold Fields was also echoed by Albert Benuye, Chairman-School Management Committee (SMC) of Brahabobome, who praised the company for investing in education, healthcare and community development.
He pointed to facilities such as teachers’ accommodation, an ICT laboratory and medical outreach programmes as evidence of the company’s contribution.
The testimonies were reinforced by scholarship beneficiary and practicing midwife Margaret Edu-Bofuo, who credited Gold Fields Ghana Foundation with helping her pursue education and career aspirations.
Meanwhile, Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has dismissed suggestions that the company has failed to make meaningful contributions to the development of its host communities.
Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Abdel Razak Yakubu, said Gold Fields has invested more than US$110million in community development initiatives over the years.
He cited some flagship projects including Nana Nango Bypass, Awodua Junction-Awodua Road, the ongoing Budo Junction-Bogoso Junction Road, and a 360-bed girls’ dormitory at Huni Valley Senior High School and the 33km Tarkwa Damang asphalt road among others.
He argued that the impact of mining extends beyond physical infrastructure to include employment creation, skills development and economic opportunities for local residents.
As the debate over Tarkwa Mine’s future gathers momentum, host communities are sending a clear message to policymakers: any decision on the lease renewal must safeguard livelihoods, sustain investment and preserve the development gains achieved through decades of mining operations.
For some residents, the question is no longer who should own the mine but revenue generation.
The post Host communities back Gold Fields lease renewal appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.
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