Dr. Nana Adarkwa Bediako (M) addressing journalists
The Apinto Divisional Council in the Western Region has opposed the continued dominance of mining operations in the country by foreign companies.
The Council is the traditional owners of the land on which Gold Fields Ghana Limited in Tarkwa, operates.
Despite the mining company’s long presence in the Western Region, the chiefs in the area claim that the operations of Gold Fields have not contributed significantly to the overall development of the host communities.
The chiefs have therefore, kicked against the renewal of the mining lease of Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine when it expires in April 2027.
“We believe that the operations of Gold Fields in Tarkwa have been less beneficial to the Apinto communities than they should have been,” the chiefs pointed out.
“We have poor roads, inadequate school infrastructure, insufficient healthcare facilities, unemployment among the youth, and many other pressing concerns,” they noted.
Addressing a press conference in Tarkwa, the traditional leaders called for a new shared prosperity model for a proposed government-owned mine in Tarkwa.
“We are honoured to inform the people of Ghana that the Apinto Divisional Council has developed an Apinto Shared Prosperity Proposal, which will be submitted to the Government of Ghana for its consideration and approval,” the chiefs indicated.
Speaking on behalf of the chiefs, the Gyaasehene of the Apinto Divisional Council, Dr. Nana Adarkwa Bediako III, noted that the chiefs are not enthused about projects provided by Gold Fields.
He said, “The level of development provided by Gold Fields does not commensurate with the extent of the degradation of our lands and the socio-economic challenges confronting our communities.”
He told journalists that a recent tour of the company in Tarkwa by the Apinto Divisional Council revealed that more than 4,000 hectares of Apinto lands have been degraded, depriving many young people and indigenous communities of their livelihoods, access to farmlands, and the effective enjoyment of their surface rights.
“We wish to state that we support the call by many well-meaning Ghanaians for the Government of Ghana to establish a government-owned mining operation in Tarkwa,” said Dr. Bediako III. “We believe this presents a historic opportunity for Ghana to derive maximum benefits from its natural resources.”
“It will also help to correct the long-standing imbalance between mineral extraction and the development of host communities,” he pointed out.
Dr. Bediako III noted that the transition from a foreign-owned mine to a government-owned mining enterprise will advance Ghana’s national economic interests.
“It will also ensure that the traditional authorities and host communities of Apinto, have sustained mining for generations and also ensure that those who continue to suffer the adverse effects of such operations, become genuine partners in the ownership, governance, and benefits of the mine,” he pointed out.
He stressed that the Apinto Divisional Council supports responsible mining and welcomes investments.
“However, we believe that the next phase of mining in the Tarkwa-Apinto area must move beyond royalties and corporate social responsibility projects towards a genuine partnership among the Government, investors, and host communities,” he added.
“Our message is simple: A mine that generates wealth from the lands of Apinto must also create lasting prosperity and sustainable development for the people of Apinto,” he indicated.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Tarkwa