The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has led a high-powered government delegation to the Damang Goldfields Mine in the Western Region, reinforcing government’s commitment to safeguarding jobs and increasing Ghanaian control in the mining sector ahead of the mine’s lease transition.
The visit comes at a critical time as the current lease approaches expiry later this month, with government under pressure to ensure continuity of operations while advancing its broader policy agenda of local participation in the extractive industry.
Addressing workers and stakeholders during the tour, Hon. Buah stated that the transition forms part of a deliberate government strategy to protect livelihoods and assert greater national interest in the management of Ghana’s natural resources.
He revealed that government has secured a one-year transitional lease arrangement with Goldfields to prevent any disruption in operations, while a competitive and transparent tender process is undertaken to determine the mine’s next operator.
“The priority of government is clear — to protect jobs, ensure uninterrupted production, and create opportunities for capable Ghanaian entities to play a leading role in this sector,” he said.
The delegation, which included members of Parliament from the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, officials from the Minerals Commission, and key Ministry directors, underscores the political significance attached to the transition process.
Hon. Buah emphasised that beyond job protection, the transition aligns with government’s broader vision of building local technical and financial capacity within the mining industry — a move he described as critical to Ghana’s economic sovereignty.
Officials indicated that detailed, phased transition plans are already in place to guide the handover process over the coming months, with assurances that safety standards, contractor commitments, and production levels will be maintained.
The Minister also sought to allay concerns among workers and host communities, assuring them that government will maintain close engagement throughout the process to ensure transparency and accountability.
During the visit, the delegation received a comprehensive briefing from the transition team before touring sections of the mine to assess operations firsthand. Interactions with workers and management provided further insight into concerns surrounding job security and the future of the mine.
Hon. Buah expressed confidence in the preparedness of the transition team and reiterated government’s resolve to deliver a process that balances economic efficiency with national interest.
The Damang transition is expected to test government’s commitment to its policy of increasing Ghanaian participation in the mining sector, while managing political scrutiny over transparency and fairness in the award of mining contracts.
Story by: Osman Issah Abadoo
