Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has allayed fears of job losses following the botched licence renewal of the Abosso Gold Fields Damang Mines.
He made this known during a visit to the firm and pointed out the importance of the workers to the survival of the company.
The government has decided to take over the mine due to lease renewal issues, sparking concerns about job security.
“Today, we had to come to engage the workers of the Gold Fields Damang Mines to assure them of His Excellency, President Mahama’s commitment to ensure that even in this transitional period their jobs will be guaranteed. We are going to work with them to ensure the safety and sanctity of the plants and operations here,” he stated.
Without mincing words, Mr Buah emphasised, “Contractors and subcontractors who work here must be assured that this transition will not affect their commitments, agreements and contracts that they have here”.
“Ultimately, it is to strengthen them, not to weaken anybody. The intention is to empower the communities here and to make sure that they ensure that there is continuity in operations,” he told Channel One TV.
The failure to renew Gold Fields Damang Mine’s operating licence after its expiry today, April 18, 2025, sparked potential worker protests, with over 1,000 jobs now at risk.
The mine’s workforce faces an uncertain future as operations near shutdown, prompting plans for demonstrations.
“The company continues to engage with the government to secure the best outcome for all stakeholders,” a Gold Fields statement had said.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Mine Workers’ Union (GMWU) has endorsed any protests to vent the concerns of workers, warning of severe economic consequences.
“If the government doesn’t change its position, we may lose our incomes—and that could force us to march and demand our livelihoods directly,” said GMWU General Secretary, Abdul-Moomin Gbana.
The workers are calling for urgent government intervention, arguing that any layoffs would devastate families and local economies.
“Before making such a major decision, the government must consider the consequences. Over 1,000 workers could be affected—they must be cautious,” Gbana stressed.
In a related development, Deputy CEO of the Minerals Commission, Isaac Tandoh, accused Gold Fields of failing to follow proper renewal procedures.
“The minister made it clear—we cannot continue business as usual. If they had a better proposal, they should have engaged the Minerals Commission directly, instead of writing letters,” Tandoh responded.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition, he defended the government’s decision to assume operational control of the mine after it rejected Gold Fields’ application to renew its mining lease.
The decision, announced by the Lands Ministry on Wednesday, has stirred debate in both the business and mining sectors.
Andrews Tandoh didn’t hold back.
“Last year, Tarkwa and Damang mines made over $600 million in profit. How much of that stayed in the country? Your guess is as good as mine,” he said.
He described Gold Fields’ behaviour as exploitative, stressing that instead of reinvesting in Ghana, the company chose to acquire assets in other countries.
“Instead of using the profit to develop the Damang mine, they were rather busy buying mines elsewhere, like Osisko in Canada. They bought another mine in Chile,” he said.
“They can’t tell me it’s not profit from Ghana. It’s difficult to move money out of Australia. But from Ghana, they had free will to move money around…We can’t continue on that path.”
The Minerals Commission boss also dismissed the idea that capital constraints justify the dominance of foreign companies in Ghana’s mining sector. He said local capacity has grown substantially.
“Unlike those days when people couldn’t access funding, it’s a thing of the past,” he insisted.
“BCM had very good Caterpillar financing. Engineers & Planners signed a $250 million deal with Caterpillar. Rockshore is purchasing equipment worth hundreds of millions to work in Ghana.”
Andrews Tandoh stressed that the government is not on a mission to drive away all foreign mining firms.
“We are not saying we’re going to chase all mining companies away. No. We are going to support them to do their work,” he said.
But he added that preferential treatment must come with accountability.
“After giving the 30-year lease to Gold Fields, the government even bettered the situation for them with a development agreement. That agreement waived several tax liabilities, especially on fuel,” he said.
“While Ghanaians were crying over fuel prices, these mines were enjoying tariff waivers.”
He accused the company of focusing on stockpile treatment in the last two years rather than actual mining.
“They’ve been taking free cash from Ghana without actually working. And this cannot continue. Ghanaians deserve better,” he declared.
