Accra, Nov. 12, GNA – The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union has called on the government to expedite action on the announcement of a new investor for the Bogoso Prestea Mine to begin operation.
The government, in September 2024, terminated the mining leases of Bogoso Prestea Mine after reviewing various reports from the Minerals Commission as well as a Ministerial Committee constituted to review the operations of the company.
The government constituted an interim management committee under the auspices of the Minerals Commission.
Mr Abdul-Moomin Gbana, the General Secretary of the Union, commended the government for the bold decision to terminate the mining lease of Future Global Resources, which was the holder of the lease for the Bogoso Prestea Mine.
“As a union, our interest is to ensure that the mine is back and running so that our members can get their jobs.
“The community of Bogoso and Prestea Mine will be revamped once again, so that at least the domestic economy will boom, arising out of the comeback of the mine,” he said.
Mr Gbana expressed worry about the delay in announcing a new investor after close to two months after proper due diligence and recommendations made.
He said practically workers had not received salaries even though the Minerals Commission attempted to make available some one-off stipend for them, but that was not sustainable.
Mr Gbana said the Union had reached out to the government on the delay, but have not gotten any straightforward response to that effect.
“Even though the mine is currently under the control of the Minerals Commission, we see a sign of hope that the mine will be back on its feet and it will run again.
“But the rate at which decisions ought to be made, which we are not seeing. We believe the Minister ought to at least pay a lot more attention to the Bogoso Prestea Mine,” he said.
He said the livelihoods of the workers were at stake, their incomes and the domestic economy of Bogoso and Prestea Mine had virtually gone fallow for quite some time now, and the government must act now.
GNA