Prestea Residents Back Heath Goldfields’ Operations

Hundreds of residents of Prestea in the Western Region yesterday embarked on a peaceful march through the principal streets of the town to express their support for Heath Goldfields Limited, operators of the Prestea-Bogoso Mine.

The demonstrators, many of whom wore white headbands to symbolise victory, chanted slogans such as “Heath Must Stay”, as they moved through the community.

According to the residents, Heath Goldfields has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the government’s cooperative mining initiative by ceding part of its concession to the community for the project.

The marchers later converged at the forecourt of the mining company, where they presented what they described as a “Statement of Thanksgiving” to officials of Heath Goldfields.

Speaking to journalists, spokesperson for the group, Mohammed Arthur, commended the company for its contributions to local development.

He also praised the Member of Parliament for the area, Robert Wisdom Cudjoe; the Municipal Chief Executive, Matthew Ayeh and traditional leaders, including the Divisional Chief of Prestea Heman, Nana Nteboah Prah, Nana Edupayin and Nana Sumpre of Bogoso, for their roles in efforts to revive the mines.

Mr Arthur stated that Heath Goldfields, as a Ghanaian-owned company, deserved the support of the people rather than allowing a foreign company to take over operations.

“As we speak, Heath Goldfields is currently living in peace with all its catchment communities,” he said.

He urged Ghanaians to disregard critics who, according to him, were speaking against the company from Accra, without understanding developments on the ground.

Mr Arthur further disclosed that Heath Goldfields had recently secured funding from Trafigura, one of the world’s leading commodity trading firms, to support operations.

He also applauded the company for ongoing underground dewatering works and its decision to award haulage and mining contracts to local contractors.

Community Expectations

Touching on the expectations of the residents, Mr Arthur said the community wanted the company to recall or re-employ laid-off workers and settle outstanding severance packages owed to deserving former employees.

“We also expect Heath Goldfields to maintain the peace that currently exists between the company and its catchment communities through regular engagements,” he stated.

He added that the company should strengthen the cooperative mining initiative for artisanal miners and enhance its corporate social responsibility programmes.

Chief of Prestea Nsuoekyir, Nana Kwabena Tenkorang, corroborated the concerns raised by the residents and appealed to the government to provide Heath Goldfields with the necessary support to succeed.

Nana Toku II, Nifahene of the Prestea Heman Traditional Council, also assured the company of the full support of the chiefs to help develop the area into a modern mining town.

Former Member of Parliament for Prestea, Kwesi Blay, lamented that despite years of mining activities, the town had little development to show for it.

He expressed optimism that Heath Goldfields, as a local company, would bring the much-needed development to the area.

“We are all saying Heath Goldfields must stay,” he stressed.

 

 

 

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