Western Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Nelson, has called for sustained stakeholder dialogue and collaborative engagement to address the persistent challenges of encroachment on mining concessions across host communities.
Speaking during an official working visit to Perseus Mining, the Minister highlighted that resolving illegal intrusions on legitimate concessions requires multi-stakeholder cooperation to safeguard corporate investments while preserving communal stability.
The Minister’s intervention comes at a critical juncture when informal mining activities and physical encroachments frequently trigger friction between large-scale mining firms and surrounding populations.
Expanding on the operational landscape, Nelson underscored that addressing concession security is vital for maintaining an environment conducive to long-term extractive investments, ensuring operational continuity, and safeguarding community safety.
“I also drew attention to the need for continued dialogue to address challenges associated with encroachment on the company’s concession, recognising the complexities involved and the importance of stakeholder collaboration in achieving a sustainable resolution.”
Joseph Nelson
Socio-Economic Contributions and Infrastructure Partnerships
During his visit, Nelson commended Perseus Mining for its impressive performance over its 15-year operational history, noting its significant contributions to local social development.
Operating across the administrative jurisdictions of Wassa Amenfi East in the Western Region and Upper Denkyira West in the Central Region, the mining entity has established vital interventions in public healthcare, educational infrastructure, technical skills development, and local employment creation.
The Regional Minister emphasized that because the mine straddles two distinct regional boundaries, management must balance its corporate social responsibilities equitably to ensure that host communities in both regions experience tangible benefits from mineral extraction.
In addition to community development, discussions centered on strategic infrastructure improvements. Nelson welcomed ongoing engagements between Perseus Mining and the Government regarding a prospective public-private partnership to rehabilitate the Dunkwa–Ayamfuri Road.
This key transport corridor serves as an economic lifeline for the region, facilitating commerce, mobility, and agricultural trade.
Describing the thoroughfare as a critical asset, the Minister expressed optimism that both parties will sustain negotiations to deliver a practical and lasting infrastructure solution that serves both logistics needs and public transit.
Addressing Concession Security and Illegal Encroachment
The call to curb concession encroachment addresses a deep-seated challenge within Ghana’s extractive ecosystem. Unsanctioned mining intrusions into active concessions not only pose severe safety hazards to local populations and company staff, but they also risk degrading reserves, disrupting planned exploration, and damaging environmental management systems.
According to the Minister encroachment often stems from socio-economic pressures, youth unemployment, and contested land tenure boundaries. Resolving these issues through peaceful dialogue rather than purely punitive enforcement is essential for creating sustainable community-company relations.
To mitigate these tensions, regional administrative frameworks prioritize inclusive engagement that involves traditional authorities, local youth groups, municipal assemblies, and security committees.
By addressing the root causes of encroachment through dialogue, local procurement, and structured skills acquisition programs, regional authorities aim to protect commercial operations while providing legitimate economic pathways for host populations.
Furthermore, Nelson encouraged Perseus Mining to pursue further mineral exploration activities to extend the mine’s operational lifespan, thereby securing long-term economic returns and employment stability for the enclave.
Strategic Priorities and Youth Empowerment
Underlining the broader vision of the Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC), Nelson reiterated that regional administrative priorities remain anchored on improving local livelihoods and advancing basic development in road networks, healthcare delivery, and quality education.
Demonstrating commitment to human capital development during the visit, the Minister officially opened the National Service Personnel Week celebrations at the mine site, acknowledging the vital contribution of young professionals to workforce productivity and national development.
The Regional Minister reaffirmed the WRCC’s commitment to constructive engagement with key actors in the extractive sector to promote responsible, legal, and sustainable mining practices.
By aligning corporate investments with regional development goals and maintaining open channels of communication, the government aims to protect legitimate business interests while maximizing the socio-economic return for host communities across the Western and Central Regions.
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