Abdul-Moomin Gbana, General Secretary of GMWU
The Ghana Mine Workers Union (GMWU) has urged the government of Ghana to find new investors to take over the Prestea-Bogoso Mines to save the mines and secure the welfare of workers.
Speaking at a press conference Monday, Abdul-Moomin Gbana, General Secretary of GMWU, said the union would be compelled to take over the operations if the government fails to find new investors to run the mines.
The union accused the current investor Future Gold Resources (FRG) as incompetent, lacking the financial capability to continue the mining operations.
The situation, according to the union, threatened the livelihoods of more than 2000 workers, working for the mines.
Future Global Resources is reported to be facing some difficulties in recent times with its operations in Bogoso Prestea mines.
According to the Ghana Mine Workers Union, there are some foreign and local investors willing to take over the operations to make the mines active again.
“We are very much aware that there are investors, both local and foreign, who are keen on taking over the mine as we speak. So why must we allow FGR to hold the entire country to ransom?” Gbana quipped.
He added, “We call on the government to make a swift decision about the future of the mine.”
According to some distressed workers who have been protesting alleged mismanagement of the mine, the Prestea-Bogoso Mine has not seen any investment since FGR took over in 2021.
“They are unable to finance the mine and are only interested in taking away the gold,” General Secretary-Senior Staff Union of FGR, Bogoso-Prestea Mines, Samuel Kumi Manu, alleged.