The Chief, Queen mother and people of Huniso, in the Western Region, have thrown their support behind the renewal of Gold Fields Ghana Limited’s mining lease, citing the company’s significant contribution to the socio-economic development of host communities over the years.
Speaking at a news conference at Huniso, the Chief of Huniso, Nana Nvida, called on the Government of Ghana to renew the mining lease of Gold Fields, which is due to expire on April 27, next year, for additional 20 years.
According to Nana Nvida, Gold Fields has demonstrated a strong commitment to the welfare of its host communities through massive investments in infrastructure, education and social intervention projects, making the company deserving of a lease renewal.
“We are the living testimony of what Gold Fields has done for our communities. If there is anyone qualified to speak about the impact of the company on the lives of people here, it is us, the host communities,” he stated.
The public confession by the chief and people of Huniso of Gold Fields’ impactful projects on their lives is expected to draw other hosts communities to also come out to bear testimony on the mine’s impactful projects.
The chief noted that many young people from the area have benefited from the company’s educational support programmes, including scholarship schemes that have enabled them to pursue higher education and professional careers.
Using his own family as an example, Nana Nvida revealed that his son successfully completed university and qualified as a mining engineer through a scholarship provided by Gold Fields.
“My son is a graduate and a mining engineer today because of Gold Fields’ scholarship support. There are many other young men and women in our communities who have also become graduates through the same programme,” he said.
While commending the company for its contributions, Nana Nvida urged Gold Fields to expand its support for youth development through increased skills training and apprenticeship programmes to equip more young people with employable skills.
Queen mother’s plea
The Queen mother of Huniso, Obaahema Yaa Damoah, also appealed to government to renew the company’s mining lease, arguing that Gold Fields had played a pivotal role in transforming the area through infrastructure development and community investments.
She cited the construction of roads and community centres among the visible projects that have improved the living conditions of residents.
According to her, continued operations by the mining company would translate into more development opportunities for the people of the area.
The support from the traditional authorities comes amid ongoing discussions regarding the future of Gold Fields’ mining lease and the impact of large-scale mining operations on host communities.
Beyond infrastructure projects, Gold Fields has also invested heavily in sustainable livelihood programmes aimed at creating long-term economic opportunities for residents.
One such initiative is ‘Empowering Communities through Oil Palm Production in Ghana’, popularly known as ECOPALMS Gh., which was launched at Pepesa, one of the mine’s host communities, about a year ago.
The community-owned oil palm seedling production enterprise was designed to promote economic transformation and create sustainable sources of income for residents. Gold Fields invested approximately GH¢180,000 in the project, covering land preparation, procurement of seedlings and capacity-building training for beneficiaries.
Community leaders say the initiative has the potential to diversify local economic activities and reduce dependence on mining-related employment. The chiefs and people of Huniso expressed optimism that government would take into account the developmental impact of Gold Fields in host communities when considering the company’s lease renewal application.
They maintained that the company’s continued presence would not only sustain existing development programmes, but also create opportunities for further investment in education, infrastructure and local economic empowerment.
For the traditional authorities, the evidence of Gold Fields’ contribution is visible in the improved lives of residents and the growing number of educated and skilled youth emerging from the mining communities.
Opinion leader
Adding his voice, opinion leader Frederick Anderson, speaking on behalf of the people of Huniso, Pepesa, Tebe and Abekoase, urged government to renew Gold Fields’ mining lease, arguing that the company remains central to the economic wellbeing of the host communities.
According to him, while calls for greater indigenous participation in the mining sector were understandable, government must be guided by the realities of large-scale mining operations and the interests of host communities.
“We have heard some groups advocating that the mine should be handed over to local operators. It is a good idea for Ghanaians to mine their own resources, but we must also look at the realities.
This mine requires huge financial investment and technical expertise to sustain operations, and currently we do not have any local group with the capacity to undertake such a venture,” he said.
Mr. Anderson credited Gold Fields with transforming the socio-economic fortunes of the area through employment creation, infrastructure development and educational support. He cited the ongoing road construction projects linking the communities to the Tarkwa-Prestea highway, scholarship opportunities for students and improvements in healthcare delivery as some of the company’s major contributions.
“People are working and earning decent incomes through Gold Fields. Many have been able to buy vehicles, motorbikes and improve their living conditions. Without the mine, some of the development projects we see today, including clinics, schools and scholarship programmes, would not have been possible,” he stated.
He warned that any decision to discontinue the company’s operations without a credible alternative could adversely affect livelihoods in the area and appealed to government to prioritize the welfare of host communities during negotiations over the lease renewal.
“We plead with government to consider the benefits and development we have enjoyed over the years and conclude negotiations in a manner that will allow the company to continue operating and supporting our communities,” he added.
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