Announce new investor for Bogoso-Prestea Mine immediately! — Mine workers to minister
On November 12, 2024, 3:03 AM
The Ghana Mine Workers Union (GMWU) has called on the government to immediately announce a new investor for the Bogoso-Prestea mine.
Speaking at a news conference in Accra, the General Secretary of the union, Abdul-Moomin Gbana, said the delay in announcing an investor for the mining company is affecting the livelihoods of workers.
It will be recalled that in September this year, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources revoked the license of Future Global Resources, the investor for Bogoso-Prestea Mine.
The sector minister’s decision follows an agitation by members of the Ghana Mine Workers Union, citing delays in the payment of salaries and social security benefits.
The ministry also raised concerns about the lack of investment by Future Global Resources into their operations.
Almost three months after revoking the license, the Lands Ministry is yet to announce an investor for the company.
“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 the 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 at stake. In 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. We have closely monitored the progress of work as far as the future of the 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 at the press conference.
