By Emmanuel Gamson
Wassa Fiase (W/R), April 22, GNA – Odeneho Akrofa Krukoko III, the Paramount Chief of the Wassa Fiase Traditional Area, in the Western Region, has called on Engineers and Planners (E&P), the new operators of the Damang Gold Mine, to strictly uphold the community development blueprint agreed upon during the official takeover process.
Speaking in an interview after Gold Fields formally transferred operations to the Ghanaian mining firm, the Paramount Chief stressed that the development plan for the area as agreed upon was non-negotiable.
He said: “I welcomed them with clear terms, and now that the papers are signed, I expect them to respect the development blueprint we discussed.
“Those plans are not suggestions, but they are commitments to my people.”
Odeneho Krukoko noted that part of the plan should be the empowerment of the youth in his traditional area.
He stated that E&P must prioritise skills training, apprenticeships, and direct employment for young people within the Mine’s catchment communities.
“Mining brings revenue, but its true legacy will be measured by how many of our youth gain sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
The Paramount Chief said communities had had to bear the brunt of mining disruptions for years, adding that, they must now see tangible benefits like jobs, technical training, and support for local enterprises.
Odeneho Krukoko reminded the new operators that traditional authorities remained critical partners in maintaining industrial peace.
He warned that any deviation from the agreed social development plan would erode trust and threaten stability.
Engineers and Planners officially assumed control of Damang following regulatory approval, with a pledge to retain local workers and scale up production.
The Chief’s request, therefore, highlights community anxiety over whether new management would honour legacy agreements signed under previous operators.
The Damang Gold Mine remained one of Ghana’s strategic gold-producing assets, and with the transition complete, host communities are watching closely to see if the change in ownership would translate into improved employment, infrastructure, and social investment.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Benjamin Mensah