Former workers of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine say they have been “betrayed and abandoned” following the failure of Heath Goldfields Limited (HGL) to pay their outstanding entitlements, nearly a year after taking over operations of the mine from Future Global Resources (FGR).
Addressing a news conference at Prestea recently, Mr Gabriel Madobi Oklettey, leader of the aggrieved workers, accused the company of showing “utter disregard for both the law and the suffering of Ghanaian workers,” despite repeated interventions from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
He lamented that hundreds of former employees and their families have been plunged into severe financial hardship due to the company’s persistent failure to honour its obligations.
Background to the Crisis
In October 2020, Future Global Resources (FGR) acquired the Bogoso-Prestea Mine from Golden Star Resources.
However, continued financial instability, operational failures and non-payment of worker benefits led to widespread protests and unrest.
After months of tension, the government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources intervened in August 2024, issuing a 120-day ultimatum to FGR to correct numerous breaches of its mining lease.
When FGR failed to comply, the lease was terminated and reassigned in November 2024 to Heath Goldfields Limited, a company introduced as “financially and technically capable” of reviving the mine and clearing all outstanding debts.
But according to the former workers that promise has turned into another nightmare.
Mr. Oklettey accused HGL of unfair and discriminatory practices, including selective payment of entitlements to workers perceived as aligned with certain union groups.
He added that these actions have destroyed trust between workers and management, saying “The company’s conduct has betrayed the very purpose for which the lease was reassigned.”
Minister’s Intervention
The workers expressed appreciation to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, whose visit to the mine on May 24, 2025 compelled HGL to begin partial payments to some workers.
“But nearly five months after the Minister’s directive, the company continues to defy both moral and legal obligations.
“Their repeated failure to pay all entitlements shows clear disregard for the authority of the Ministry and for the welfare of Ghanaian workers,” Oklettey said.
Over 400 Workers Laid Off
Since taking over the mine, HGL reportedly disengaged more than 400 employees under the guise of “operational restructuring” and “care and maintenance.”
The affected workers were promised full payment of their entitlements including salary arrears, provident fund contributions, severance, and redundancy benefits but most have yet to receive what is due them.
“Beyond small portions of arrears and provident funds, the company has failed to honour the full package owed to us,” Oklettey alleged adding that “Many of our members are struggling to pay rent, feed their families, or afford medical care. The situation is heart-breaking.
”He reminded HGL that under Section 18 of Ghana’s Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), employers are required to pay all benefits upon termination, describing the company’s conduct as “a clear breach of the law.”
Repeated Deadlines and Excuses
According to the former workers, HGL had promised in a memorandum dated August 27, 2025, to clear all outstanding benefits by the end of September 2025. However, as of October 31, less than half of the affected workers had been paid.
Another memo dated October 6, 2025 shifted the deadline to December 2025, a move the workers say is further evidence of the company’s bad faith.
“These constant postponements show that HGL either lacks the financial capacity or the integrity to manage the Bogoso-Prestea Mine,” Oklettey said.
Demand for Urgent Government Action
With the expiration of the 120-day ultimatum given to HGL to regularise its operations, the workers have issued a fresh appeal for swift action from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and other relevant agencies.
They are demanding:
- Immediate payment of all outstanding entitlements, including provident fund arrears, bonuses, end-of-service pay, severance and redundancy benefits and
- A comprehensive financial and operational audit of HGL to assess its financial strength and compliance with lease conditions.
“The time for more promises is over. We’ve waited long enough while our families suffer. We want action, not words,” Oklettey said.
The group expressed gratitude to the Minister for his efforts so far, but warned that their patience has reached its limit.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. The dignity, livelihoods, and rights of Ghanaian mine workers must not be sacrificed at the altar of corporate greed and empty assurances,” Oklettey declared.
Copies of the petition have been submitted to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, the Western Regional Minister, the CEO of the Minerals Commission, the Environmental Protection Authority, and other relevant stakeholders, including local chiefs in the Bogoso-Prestea communities.
Heath Goldfields Response
In a rejoinder to similar story published on September 16, 2025, Heath Goldfields Limited (HGL), current operators of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine, strongly rejected suggestion that it had failed to provide financial support for the mine’s operations or to pay worker entitlements.
Contrary to claims that the historic mine was being mismanaged and edging toward collapse under its current leadership, the company maintained that it had played a crucial role in reviving the mine from near ruin following what it described as “severe financial and operational failures” by former operators — Future Global Resources (FGR) and Blue Gold Bogoso Prestea Ltd.
The rejoinder followed a publication by The Chronicle titled “Heath Goldfields Under Fire … Workers Allege Unpaid Wages & Delay In Revamping The Mine.”
The report had cited grievances from some workers alleging delays in wage and severance payments and dissatisfaction with the pace of rehabilitation works.
In a strongly worded response addressed to the Editor of The Chronicle, Mr. Prince Benson Mankotam, Legal Counsel for HGL, described the publication as “inaccurate and misleading,” arguing that it unfairly portrayed the company as irresponsible.
“As of 5th September 2025, our client had invested over GHS100 million to settle outstanding salaries and unpaid provident fund contributions incurred by FGR and Blue Gold. Additionally, more than GHS16 million was paid to settle debts owed to contractors,” Mr.Mankotam stated.
He added that HGL had invested over GHS34 million in critical safety upgrades and infrastructure improvements, including the complete restoration of the mine’s winder system to meet regulatory safety standards.
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