Hundreds of former workers of the Bogoso-Prestea Gold Mine have accused the current operator, Heath Goldfields Limited (HGL), of flagrantly violating Ghana’s Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) by failing to pay legally mandated entitlements months after disengaging employees.
At a news conference in Accra on 19 November, 2025 the Convener of the distraught former workers, Mr. Gabriel Madobi, laid bare the extent of the breaches, describing the ongoing neglect as a “direct affront to the dignity of hardworking Ghanaians and serious legal violation.”
“The Labour Act is clear: Section 18 mandates that all outstanding remuneration must be paid immediately upon termination of employment.
“Yet, despite ministerial directives and repeated assurances from Heath Goldfields, most former employees remain unpaid,” Mr. Gabriel Madobi told journalists.
Cycle of Broken Promises
The frustrations of the former workers stem from a chain of events that began with the termination of Future Global Resources’ (FGR) lease of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine on 3 September, 2024.
The government cited repeated breaches of contractual obligations, including unpaid SSNIT contributions, Provident Fund arrears, unpaid bonuses and delayed salaries.
The workers welcomed the termination, viewing it as a chance for relief after years of instability. When the mine was reassigned to Heath Goldfields Limited on 12 November, 2024 it was presented to the public as a financially and technically capable operator that would stabilise operations, pay outstanding debts and inject capital to rejuvenate the mine.
“We welcomed Heath Goldfields with hope, believing that our livelihoods would finally be restored. Unfortunately, that hope has not been fulfilled,” Mr. Gabriel Madobi alleged.
Outstanding Payments and Human Cost
According to the former workers, Heath Goldfields has failed to pay critical entitlements, including End of Contract Benefits, Outstanding Leave Balances, 2023 Bonuses, Provident Fund arrears, Redundancy and Severance payments.
A memo from Heath Goldfields dated August 27, 2025 promised to settle Provident Fund arrears by the end of that month and complete payments to disengaged employees by the end of September.
However, as of the press conference, only about half of affected workers had received their Provident Fund contributions.
A subsequent memo dated October 6, 2025 extended the payment deadline to December 2025, further eroding confidence.
“Some of our colleagues have died without receiving what is lawfully theirs. Many families struggle to afford food, education and healthcare.
“Elderly and unwell former employees, who dedicated decades to this mine, now live in distress,” Mr. Gabriel Madobi said.
The former workers clarified that any Memorandum of Understanding signed between Heath Goldfields and the Ghana Mine Workers Union does not supersede statutory law.
“We are not bound by this MoU. It does not align with the Labour Act and does not create the enforceable obligations that the law guarantees,” Mr. Gabriel Madobi said.
They urged the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to ensure compliance with statutory law and deliver all outstanding entitlements immediately.
Questions over due diligence and financial capacity
The group also questioned the rigor of the government’s vetting process before reassigning the mine to Heath Goldfields.
They pointed out that the operator’s current activities, focused mainly on hauling and reprocessing old tailings, appear insufficient for a full operational turnaround.
“If the goal was merely to process tailings, FGR could have done so without the lease being terminated.
“Bogoso-Prestea deserves more than a stopgap measure; it needs sustainable investment and long-term operational rehabilitation,” Mr. Madobi said.
They asked the Minister to clarify the following questions: What level of capital commitment Heath Goldfields presented before acquiring the lease?; What proof of funding was independently verified by the government and whether the operator has the financial capacity to sustain the mine long-term.
The former workers emphasized that their fight is not only about financial compensation, but also dignity, justice, and the protection of a national asset.
“Honourable Minister, families are suffering. Promises have not been kept. Many who served Ghana’s mining industry for decades are being treated without fairness.
“We urge the government to ensure that all outstanding entitlements are paid without further delay and to consider bringing in a more capable operator if Heath Goldfields cannot meet its obligations,” Mr. Madobi said.
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