Opinion leaders and youth representatives from Huniso and nearby communities in the Western Region have opposed calls for the government not to renew Gold Fields Ghana’s lease for the Tarkwa Mine.
The group, known as the Concerned Opinion Leaders of Huniso and Surrounding Communities, says ending the company’s operations could put jobs, government revenue and businesses that depend on the mine at risk.
At a press engagement, the group’s Convener, Nana Kwesi Ansah, criticised the proposal for the government to reject Gold Fields’ 20-year lease renewal and transfer the mine to a wholly Ghanaian-owned company under the “Apinto Shared Prosperity Proposal”.
He described the proposal as economically risky and argued that running a modern large-scale mining operation requires significant financial resources, technical expertise, specialised equipment and strict environmental and safety standards.
According to him, replacing an established mining operator without sufficient guarantees could have serious consequences for employees, contractors and other businesses connected to the Tarkwa Mine.
The group also rejected claims that Gold Fields has failed to contribute meaningfully to the development of its host communities.
Nana Kwesi Ansah pointed to projects supported by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, including roads, sports facilities, scholarships, water projects, health infrastructure and agricultural programmes.
He acknowledged that mining operations could have environmental and social challenges but insisted that these should be addressed through stronger regulation rather than disrupting the mine’s operations.
The group has therefore urged the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission to continue reviewing Gold Fields’ lease renewal while negotiating stronger commitments for affected communities.
These, they said, should include more employment opportunities for local residents, technical training and priority recruitment for young people.
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They also called for the completion of outstanding development projects, improved roads and clear timelines for projects such as the Health Training School.
Nana Kwesi Ansah said the interests of workers, youth, traders and farmers should guide decisions on the future of the Tarkwa Mine, stressing that properly regulated investment remained important to the local economy.
