By Mildred Siabi-Mensah
Takoradi, March 24, GNA – Some residents and miners of Prestea Huni Valley in the Western Region are unhappy that the President did not appoint an indigene to head the Sankofa Gold Limited.
“We, the miners here supply about 85 to 90 per cent of the company’s raw materials for its operations and appointing an MD outside the constituency, will have an adverse effect on the government in future elections,” a statement signed by 13 party persons from the constituency said.
“We the people of Prestea Huni Valley have decided not to supply the company with tailings…. We will also not allow trucks to haul tailings through our communities to the company’s premises,” they added.
They argued that the area played a crucial role to ensure NDC’s victory in the Region and would have been gratifying for a “homeboy” to occupy that appointment.
Alhaji Ishaque Dauda, the son of Mr. Collins Dauda, is the new Managing Director (MD) of Prestea Sankofa Gold Limited which is in the constituency.
“The previous government suffered defeat in the constituency because of similar appointment outside the constituency”.
“We therefore hope our plea will be considered and the appointment of the new MD revoked”, the residents pointed out.
Prestea Sankofa Gold Limited is a state-owned gold mining company established in 1994 to extract gold mainly from old tailings.
It was, however, shut down in 2014.
The shutdown of the company stalled business and commercial activities in the once vibrant mining town of Prestea.
However, the previous government under former President Nana Akufo Addo vowed to review the company and charged the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) – to constitute a committee to ensure the company was rejuvenated.
In 2018, the committee managed to ensure that the company started operation.
GNA
JP/KOA