The Divisional Chiefs and traditional authorities of Bogoso and Prestea have petitioned the President of the Republic of Ghana, calling for an immediate replacement of the current mine operator, Heath Goldfields Limited.
The petition, submitted on behalf of the host communities, expresses deep-seated dissatisfaction with the company’s inability to meet critical financial and operational commitments since taking over the asset in late 2024.
The chiefs argue that the promised “renaissance” of the mine has failed to materialize, leaving the local economy in a state of stagnation and the workforce in a cycle of uncertainty.
Expanding on these grievances, the traditional leaders highlighted that despite the company’s recent announcement of a first gold pour in February 2026, the underlying structural issues remain unaddressed.
The petition alleges that Heath Goldfields misrepresented its financial profile during the lease award process and has failed to honor a US$50 million commitment intended to settle inherited worker liabilities and arrears.
While the operator claims to have paid over GH¢139 million toward these debts, the chiefs maintain that hundreds of workers remain laid off and the community’s trust has been “severely eroded by broken promises and lack of transparency.”
“The community’s patience has reached its limit as we witness the systematic decline of an asset that should be the heartbeat of our local economy. We can no longer tolerate an operator whose financial instability threatens the very survival of our people and the long-term viability of the Bogoso-Prestea concessions.”
Divisional Chiefs and traditional authorities of Bogoso and Prestea
Strengthening Local Livelihoods through Operational Competence
The chiefs advocate for a change in operatorship primarily because a stable, well-capitalized partner is essential for restoring the region’s economic dignity.
Under a competent operator, the “poverty in the midst of plenty” narrative can be reversed by ensuring consistent payroll cycles for the over 1,400 direct and indirect employees. Beyond direct jobs, a reliable mining partner enhances the lives of the people by stabilizing the local supply chain.
“When the mine breathes, the town breathes,” noted a local spokesperson, emphasizing that small-scale businesses from catering to hardware supplies depend entirely on the mine’s operational liquidity to thrive.
Infrastructure Development and Social Investment
A key pillar of the chiefs’ advocacy is the urgent need for infrastructure projects that have stalled under the current administration.
They argue that a more capable operator would fulfill the Social Responsibility Agreements (SRA) that provide for “health, education, and water sanitation projects” which are currently in arrears.
The petition suggests that a change in management would unlock the planned US$205 million investment required for underground redevelopment.
This capital injection is not just about gold production; it represents the potential for modernized healthcare facilities and the resurfacing of critical road networks, such as the Prestea-Bogoso highway, which serves as a lifeline for both miners and farmers.
Environmental Stewardship and Long-term Sustainability
Finally, the traditional authorities emphasize that the change is necessary to safeguard the environment for future generations.
The current petition points to “unresolved breaches of mining leases” cited by the Minerals Commission, including inadequate water treatment systems that risk polluting local water bodies.
By advocating for a new, environmentally conscious operator, the chiefs are pushing for a transition toward “responsible and inclusive mining practices.“
This shift would ensure that the 5.1 million ounces of gold resources remaining in the concession are extracted using modern, sustainable methods that prioritize the reclamation of land for agriculture, thereby securing the “livelihood foundations” of the community long after the mine’s eventual closure.
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