Huniso opinion leaders back Gold Fields Tarkwa lease renewal, reject local takeover proposal

Opinion leaders and youth representatives from Huniso and surrounding communities in the Western Region have rejected calls for the government not to renew Gold Fields Ghana's Tarkwa Mine lease, warning that such a move could threaten jobs, state revenue, and the local economy. The group, calling itself the Concerned Opinion Leaders of Huniso and Surrounding Communities, has also accused sections of the Apinto Divisional Council of pursuing a self-serving agenda. Nana Kwesi Ansah, the group's Convener, stated, "The proposal calling on the Government of Ghana to reject Gold Fields Ghana's 20-year lease renewal and hand over the Tarkwa Mine under the so-called 'Apinto Shared Prosperity Proposal' is reckless, economically unviable and deeply disingenuous."

Nana Kwesi Ansah urged the government, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and the Minerals Commission to subject the proposal to careful scrutiny. He argued that modern large-scale mining requires substantial capital, technical expertise, specialized equipment, and strict environmental and safety standards. Nana Kwesi Ansah also stated, "Mining is not an arena for trial-and-error corporate governance. The Tarkwa Mine is a world-class operation requiring continuous capital expenditure, high-level technical expertise, specialized equipment and international environmental compliance standards." The group believes replacing an established operator without adequate guarantees could jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands.