Members of the Ghana Mine Workers Union and youth from host communities have protested a directive requiring mining companies to transition from owner mining to contract mining by December 2026. The workers, employed by Zijin Golden Ridge Mining at Abirem, fear the transition could trigger job losses, slash salaries and benefits, and undermine the economic survival of mining communities. A job at the mine is a lifeline for many families, providing more than just a monthly salary.
The proposed transition has sparked concerns among workers and local residents, who rely heavily on the mine for their livelihoods. Market women, food vendors, shop owners, landlords, transport operators, and artisans all depend, directly or indirectly, on the spending power of mineworkers. A reduction in workers' earnings could weaken local businesses and threaten livelihoods across the communities. The workers took to the streets of Abirem to protest the Minerals Commission's directive, which they believe could have far-reaching consequences.
The demonstrators are calling on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to suspend the directive and engage stakeholders, including workers and host communities, before any transition is implemented. They insist that promoting local participation in the mining industry must not come at the expense of decent jobs and the economic survival of mining communities. The workers presented a petition to the Birim North District Assembly, which was received by the Birim North Coordinating Director and the representative of the MP for the Abirem Constituency.
Nicholas Kyei Badu, the Akyem Local Chairman for the Mining Workers Union, emphasized the need for immediate action. He called for the suspension of the contract mining directive and meaningful stakeholder consultation. The union also demands that the government convene a stakeholders' engagement to discuss local content and its implications on workers and host communities.
Emmanuel Dodzi, the Mining Workers Union's Local Secretary, expressed concerns about the absence of clear policy guidelines for contract mining. He believes that local contractors may short-change workers, citing the example of Tarkwa Goldfields, where salaries were reduced from $900 to $500 when the mine was given to a contractor. The union is worried that contract miners may not provide the same benefits as owner companies.
The protest highlights the challenges faced by mining communities in Ghana, where the mining industry is a significant source of employment and revenue. The workers and local residents are urging the government to consider the impact of the transition on the local economy and the livelihoods of those dependent on the mine. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has yet to respond to the petition and the union's demands.
The outcome of the protest and the government's response will have significant implications for the mining industry in Ghana and the communities that depend on it. The workers and local residents are hopeful that their concerns will be heard and that a solution will be found that balances the need for local participation in the mining industry with the need to protect decent jobs and the economic survival of mining communities.
Key points
- - The Ghana Mine Workers Union and local residents are protesting a directive to transition from owner mining to contract mining, fearing job losses and reduced benefits. - The transition could have far-reaching consequences for mining communities, where a job at the mine is a lifeline for many families. - The union is calling for the suspension of the contract mining directive and meaningful stakeholder consultation to discuss local content and its implications on workers and host communities.
