Communities In Gold Fields Catchment Area Call For Extension Of Tarkwa Mine Lease.
Three communities within the Gold Fields catchment area , Huniso, Tebekrom, and Samaho ,have appealed to the Government of Ghana to extend the mining lease of Gold Fields Ghana Limited, insisting that the company remains crucial to the economic stability and long-term sustainability of the Tarkwa enclave.
Addressing a press conference at Huniso, Nana Kwasi Ansah, Abokomaba of Huniso, who spoke on behalf of the group, said they were compelled to respond to recent calls by some traditional authorities and interest groups urging government not to renew the company’s lease.
The group, which identified itself as Concerned Opinion Leaders and Youth Groups within the Apinto Divisional Area, stated that although they respect the right of traditional authorities to advocate for community development, they could not support what they described as “individual political posturing and self-serving interests that threaten jobs, economic stability, and the sustainability of the area.”
According to Nana Kwasi Ansah, proposals asking government to reject the lease extension and hand over the Tarkwa mines to a so-called “purely Ghanaian-owned entity” were reckless, economically unviable, and deeply disingenuous.
He urged the Government of Ghana, the Minerals Commission, and the general public to disregard what he termed a self-serving agenda aimed at advancing narrow interests at the expense of thousands of residents whose livelihoods are linked to the operations of Gold Fields.
Nana Kwasi Ansah maintained that Gold Fields has over the years created significant employment and business opportunities for people within the Tarkwa enclave.
He warned that any abrupt transfer of the mine to an untested operator could have severe consequences for workers, traders, transport operators, farmers, artisans, and many other residents who depend directly or indirectly on mining-related activities.
Meanwhile, Nana Kobina Bonso, Acting Chief of Tebekrom, also called on chiefs and traditional leaders to engage Gold Fields in constructive dialogue and negotiate improved development arrangements rather than calling on government not to renew the lease.
He stressed that cooperation and negotiation would better serve the interests of the affected communities than confrontation or demands for a complete takeover by a new investor.
Nana Kobina Bonso further expressed concern that if the mine is handed over to a different investor, the surrounding communities may lose the development benefits they currently receive through Gold Fields’ corporate social responsibility programmes, including support for education, roads, water, health, and community infrastructure projects.
Some elders from the three communities also shared testimonies on how Gold Fields has positively impacted their lives and communities through employment opportunities, scholarships for students, community infrastructure, and other social intervention programmes.
Story by Nana Fynn@W/R.
