Hundreds of youth, opinion leaders and residents from host communities within the catchment area of the Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine have embarked on a peaceful demonstration to express their support for the renewal of the company’s mining lease, which is set to expire in April 2027.
The demonstrators marched through the principal streets of the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, carrying placards highlighting the numerous social intervention and community development projects undertaken by Gold Fields over the years.
Speaking in an interview the demonstrators argued that although several mining companies operate within the municipality, Gold Fields has made significant contributions to the socio-economic development of the area through investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, skills training and local economic empowerment.
The demonstrators argued that although several mining companies operate within the municipality, Gold Fields has made significant contributions to the socio-economic development of the area through investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, skills training and local economic empowerment.
John Nsoh, Assembly Member for New Atuabo, said: “As an Assembly Member, I know much about what Gold Fields has done for New Atuabo community, as well as the whole of Tarkwa-Nsuaem. Let’s look at the T&A Park, the Bogoso Junction to Damang road, the road from Budo City to Bogoso Junction, and many others. All of these were done by Gold Fields. So, if the government does not renew their lease at Tarkwa, it will affect Tarkwa. We are pleading with the government. Gold Fields is the light of Tarkwa, and if Gold Fields goes off now, Tarkwa will go Communities.
We are pleading with the government. Gold Fields is the light of Tarkwa, and if Gold Fields goes off now, Tarkwa will go off as well. This is why we are demonstrating to express our support for Gold Fields to stay.
Another demonstrator, John Davies, said Gold Fields had made a greater impact on the municipality than other mining companies operating in the area.
“We are here demonstrating because, to me, Gold Fields is not being fairly treated. We have three mining companies here in Tarkwa, and weighing all three and the projects they have undertaken, Gold Fields stands tall. So, I think the government should give them the lease to continue the work.”
Davies also expressed concern about the possibility of the Tarkwa mining lease being handed over to Ghanaian-owned mining companies, arguing that some local mine owners have a history of unfair treatment of workers.
“When the job is given to a Black man, you know how they treat workers as compared to what Gold Fields does. So, I plead that it is given to Gold Fields,” he added.
The demonstrators therefore appealed to the government to renew the company’s mining lease upon its expiry, insisting that the continued operations of Gold Fields would help sustain jobs, community development projects and economic growth in Tarkwa and its surrounding communities.
