Nearly 400 people from communities around the Damang Mine have entered various stages of the mine’s recruitment process, with 180 already engaged, according to chiefs and youth leaders in the area.

The figures were disclosed at a press conference on Wednesday, August 12, four months after Damang Gold Mine Limited (DGML) took over operations of the mine.

The community leaders say the recruitment drive is among the early developments they are monitoring under the new Ghanaian ownership of the mine.

They said 135 candidates were currently undergoing medicals and induction, while another 85 had completed interviews and were awaiting the outcome.

Under an arrangement with the host communities, DGML is expected to source 60% of its workforce locally, with the remaining 40% coming from outside the communities.

However, the chiefs and youth representatives say their expectations extend beyond employment.

They cited work on the Damang-Subri road, initial earthworks for a proposed airstrip at the Huni waste dump and plans for three AstroTurf parks as other developments since the transition.

The Damang mining lease was transferred to DGML on April 18, 2026.

Speaking on behalf of the communities, Chief of the Bosomtwi Divisional Council, Nana Kwabena Amponsah IV, said the developments had created optimism among residents.

“We have gathered today to publicly acknowledge the positive relationship that has developed between Damang Gold Mine Ltd and its host communities since the company assumed responsibility for the Damang Mine,” he said.

Work has begun on the Damang-Subri section of the Damang-Subri-Praso-Cape Coast road.

According to the community leaders, sections of the road have been cleared and cut and filled, while culverts have been constructed at waterlogged areas.

They described the road as critical to the movement of people and goods between the mining communities and commercial centres.

However, they stressed the need for the work to continue until the long-standing challenges along the corridor are addressed.

The community leaders also said initial earthworks had begun on a proposed airstrip at the Huni waste dump.

They said the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the Prestea-Huni Valley Municipal Assembly had been engaged as part of the process.

On the proposed AstroTurf parks, the communities said land had been released for facilities at Damang, Subri and Huni.

A consultant reportedly visited the sites in July, with DGML expected to have the contractor mobilise by mid-August.

While welcoming the developments, the community leaders cautioned against treating the first four months of the new ownership as evidence that all concerns of the host communities had been resolved.

They want the local recruitment drive to be supported with training, apprenticeships, skills development and opportunities for career progression.

The chiefs and youth representatives are also calling for more local businesses to benefit from contracts and procurement opportunities generated by the mine.

They argued that the benefits of indigenous ownership should extend beyond direct employment to local suppliers, contractors and other businesses within the mining value chain.

The communities further want the existing engagement between the mine and the host communities to be maintained.

They cited the Social Responsibility Forum and other engagement platforms as important avenues for discussions on employment, community development and the proposed Development Foundation.

Nana Amponsah said the communities would support DGML as long as the relationship remained anchored in transparency, local participation, responsible mining and sustainable development.

He said the success of the new ownership should ultimately be measured not only by gold production, but also by the jobs created, businesses supported and infrastructure delivered to host communities.

For the Damang communities, the developments four months into the new ownership have provided grounds for cautious optimism.

However, they say the bigger test will be whether the jobs are sustained, infrastructure projects are completed and commitments made to the communities continue throughout the life of the mine.