Opinion leaders and youth representatives from Huniso and surrounding communities in the Western Region have rejected calls for the government not to renew Gold Fields Ghana’s Tarkwa Mine lease, warning that such a move could threaten jobs, state revenue and the local economy.

The group, calling itself the Concerned Opinion Leaders of Huniso and Surrounding Communities, has also accused sections of the Apinto Divisional Council of pursuing what it describes as a self-serving agenda under the guise of promoting local ownership of the mine.

Speaking at a press engagement, the group’s Convener, Nana Kwesi Ansah, said the proposal for the government to reject Gold Fields’ 20-year lease renewal and transfer the Tarkwa Mine to a wholly Ghanaian-owned entity could have serious economic consequences.

“The proposal calling on the Government of Ghana to reject Gold Fields Ghana’s 20-year lease renewal and hand over the Tarkwa Mine under the so-called ‘Apinto Shared Prosperity Proposal’ is reckless, economically unviable and deeply disingenuous,” he said.

He urged the government, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission to subject the proposal to careful scrutiny, arguing that modern large-scale mining requires substantial capital, technical expertise, specialised equipment and strict environmental and safety standards.

“Mining is not an arena for trial-and-error corporate governance. The Tarkwa Mine is a world-class operation requiring continuous capital expenditure, high-level technical expertise, specialised equipment and international environmental compliance standards,” Nana Kwesi Ansah stated.

According to the group, replacing an established operator without adequate guarantees could jeopardise the livelihoods of thousands of direct employees, subcontractors and others whose businesses depend on the mine.

It said any disruption to operations could also affect businesses providing transport, catering, engineering, supplies and other services within the mining value chain.

Group defends Gold Fields’ community investments

The Concerned Opinion Leaders also defended Gold Fields’ contribution to the development of its host communities, rejecting claims that the mining company has made little or no significant impact.

“While no mining operation is without environmental and social challenges, claiming that Gold Fields has contributed nothing significant to host communities is factually untrue,” Nana Kwesi Ansah said.

The group cited investments undertaken through the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, including the Tarkwa-Damang road, Tarkwa and Abosso Stadium, tertiary scholarships, water projects, health facilities and agricultural initiatives.

It maintained that rather than seeking to replace Gold Fields as operator of the mine, stakeholders should use the lease renewal process to secure stronger commitments from the company towards the development of its host communities.

Call for stronger community development agreement

The group therefore called on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to proceed with the review of Gold Fields’ lease renewal while using the process to negotiate stronger and legally binding commitments for communities within the mine’s operational area.

“We call on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to proceed with the review of Gold Fields’ lease renewal, but to use this process to demand a stricter, legally binding Community Development Agreement,” Nana Kwesi Ansah said.

Among its demands are improved local employment opportunities, technical training and priority recruitment for young people in Tarkwa and surrounding communities.

The group also wants Gold Fields to complete ongoing development projects, including the Health Training School project, and urgently address roads in poor condition within its operational catchment area.

It further called for clear, transparent and trackable timelines for the completion of outstanding community development projects.

Nana Kwesi Ansah said the interests of workers, young people, traders, farmers and other residents should remain at the centre of discussions about the future of the Tarkwa Mine.

“We refuse to let personal grandstanding compromise the peace, security and economic health of our land. Foreign direct investment, when properly regulated and held accountable, remains the surest driver of sustainable industrial mining in Tarkwa,” he said.