The Apinto Divisional Council has accused Gold Fields Ghana Limited of failing to deliver meaningful socio-economic development to communities hosting the Tarkwa Mine, arguing that decades of mining have yielded little improvement in the lives of residents despite the area’s vast mineral wealth.
The criticism comes as the Council intensifies its opposition to the renewal of Gold Fields’ mining lease, which expires in April 2027, urging the Government to instead transfer the concession to a Ghanaian-owned mining company.
Speaking at a media engagement in Tarkwa, the Gyasehene of the Apinto Divisional Council, Nana Adarkwa Bediako III, said the community had expected mining activities to drive sustained economic transformation, but the anticipated development had not materialised.
He noted that multinational mining companies, including Gold Fields Ghana Limited and AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine, have operated within the traditional area for many years, yet many host communities continue to grapple with underdevelopment and limited economic opportunities.
According to the Council, the expiration of Gold Fields’ lease presents Ghana with an opportunity to rethink how the country’s mineral resources are managed and ensure greater benefits accrue to local communities.
The chiefs believe that transferring the concession to a Ghanaian-owned mining company would not only retain more value within the national economy but also allow traditional authorities and host communities to participate meaningfully in the ownership, governance and benefits of the mine.
The Council said it supports responsible mining but insists that future mining arrangements must prioritise sustainable development, local participation and shared prosperity.
Trouble Brews for Gold Fields as Apinto Chiefs Reject Lease Renewal
