By Emmanuel Gamson
Tarkwa (W/R), July 25, GNA – Chiefs of the Apinto Divisional Council of Tarkwa in the Western Region have called on the government to handover the Tarkwa Mine to a Ghanaian-owned mining company upon the expiration of the Gold Fields Ghana Limited’s mining lease in April 2027.
According to them, the move would present a historic opportunity for Ghana to derive maximum benefits from its natural resources, while correcting the long-standing imbalance between mineral extraction and the development of host communities.
Nana Adarkwa Bediako III, Gyasehene of the Apinto Divisional Council, who spoke on behalf of the Chiefs at a media engagement in Tarkwa, said the transition from foreign to a Ghanaian-owned mining firm would not only advance Ghana’s national economic interests, but also ensure that the traditional authorities and host communities of Apinto became genuine partners in the ownership, governance, and benefits of the Mine.
He noted that the Council had witnessed the operations of multinational mining companies such as Gold Fields Ghana Limited, AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem, and others.
However, despite their long presence in the area, their operations had not contributed significantly to the overall development of the host communities, he said.
Nana Bediako III stated that a recent tour of the Gold Fields Ghana Ltd Mine in Tarkwa by the Council revealed that more than 4,000 hectares of Apinto lands had been degraded, depriving many young people and communities of their livelihoods.
He said: “We believe that the operations of Gold Fields Ghana Ltd in Tarkwa have been less beneficial to the Apinto communities than they should have been.
“We must state that the level of development provided by Gold Fields Ghana does not commensurate the extent of the degradation of our lands and the socio-economic challenges confronting our communities.”
Nana Bediako III, therefore, called on the government, Parliament, Minerals Commission, and other stakeholders to consider their proposal for a Ghanaian-owned company to take over the Tarkwa Mine when the current operator’s lease expired.
He noted that their proposal was founded on the principles of history, justice, equity, and sustainable development.
“The Apinto Divisional Council supports responsible mining and welcomes investment. However, we believe that the next phase of mining in the Tarkwa-Apinto area must move beyond royalties and corporate social responsibility projects towards a genuine partnership among the government, investors, and host communities,” he added.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga /George-Ramsey Benamba
Reporter: Emmanuel Gamson