In an attempt to calm nerves and restore hope, the government has given a strong assurance to the workers, contractors, and service providers of the Gold Fields Damang Mine that it is committed to respecting their employment and their prevailing contracts.
This assurance follows the government’s decision not to renew the mining lease of Gold Fields Ghana Limited at the Damang Mine.
The move created some anxiety among workers, contractors, and the service providers who were eager to know their fate after Gold Fields’ application for the extension of lease failed.
The government is set to take over the mine and has therefore committed to a seamless transition plan that will safeguard employment and sustain ongoing operations at the mine.
In a statement, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, indicated that the services of the workers, contractors, and service providers will be needed under the new administration.
“To the hardworking employees, contractors, and service providers at Damang, your dedication has been the backbone of this mine, and it will remain indispensable,” the official statement cited by The High Street Journal read adding that “All essential services, from security to healthcare, fuel supply to camp management, will continue without interruption. Valid contracts will be honored, wages paid, and operations sustained as we work to regularize arrangements under the State’s stewardship.”
This assurance means the workers have a lifeline despite the sudden takeover, and hence businesses and livelihoods that depend on the mine will be protected.
Aside from retaining the existing workers, what is more encouraging is the government’s firm commitment to prioritizing local employment and enterprise.
The government further indicates that in alignment with Ghana’s Local Content Policy, the new management of the mine will focus on retaining the local workforce and expanding opportunities for community-based enterprises within the Damang catchment area.
“Priority will be given to local workforce retention and community-based enterprises in line with Ghana’s Local Content Policy. This transition will prioritize local hiring and procurement, ensuring that opportunities in transport, labor, and auxiliary services first benefit businesses within the Damang catchment area,” the statement said.
Already, the government’s decision not to renew the lease of Gold Fields has been welcomed by many industry experts who assert it is a step in the right direction, given the actions of the company in the last few years.
This new assurance to protect businesses and livelihoods will further deepen the goodwill the government has gained in how it has handled the situation. But whether it will stick to its words remains to be seen.
