Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson has called on the management of Sankofa Gold Mine at Prestea to sustain production and explore new opportunities to strengthen the financial sustainability of the state-owned mining company. The Minister made the call during a working visit to the mine on October 7, 2026. He inspected the processing plant and tailings facilities, assessing progress in efforts to restore and strengthen operations. The visit aimed to evaluate the mine's current state and provide guidance.
The Sankofa Gold Mine, a wholly government-owned company under the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), had been inactive for about nine months. Minister Nelson encouraged the management to ensure the plant remains operational and avoids unnecessary disruptions. He emphasized the importance of maintaining production levels and preventing future shutdowns. The Minister's visit was an opportunity to engage with the management and staff on the way forward.
Minister Nelson also encouraged the management to take advantage of Ghana's renewed focus on maximizing value from its gold resources, particularly opportunities associated with GoldBod. He stated that increased gold production by Sankofa would strengthen the company while contributing to employment, government revenue, and economic development. The Minister's comments highlight the potential for Sankofa to make a positive impact on Ghana's economy.
The Managing Director of Sankofa Gold Mine, Alhaji Ishaq Dauda, disclosed that the mine's existing tailings facility has only about three months of remaining deposition capacity. He emphasized the critical need to complete a new facility, TSF2, to sustain operations. The project, funded entirely from Sankofa's internal resources, is about 80 percent complete, with civil works expected to be completed by the end of October.
The TSF2 facility project began in May 2025 and faced delays due to regulatory requirements, engagements with traditional authorities, and heavier-than-expected rainfall. Alhaji Dauda stated that the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required the company to construct a one-kilometre covered drainage system to divert the Subri River and protect the environment.
Sankofa has invested significantly in refurbishing its processing tanks and raising and extending the walls of the existing tailings facility. The company has spent about GH¢6 million on refurbishing its processing tanks and approximately US$440,000 on the tailings facility. These investments aim to improve the mine's operational capacity and ensure regulatory compliance.
The completion of TSF2 and ongoing investments are expected to enhance Sankofa's operations and create additional jobs. The company has engaged about 150 community youths through its graduate trainee and casual employment programmes. Minister Nelson welcomed plans by management to diversify the company's operations to improve its long-term sustainability and expressed optimism that a new board would complement the work of management and staff.
Key points
- Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson urges Sankofa Gold Mine to sustain production and explore new opportunities to strengthen its financial sustainability.
- Sankofa Gold Mine's existing tailings facility has only about three months of remaining deposition capacity, making the completion of a new facility critical to sustained operations.
- The company has invested significantly in refurbishing its processing tanks and tailings facility to improve operational capacity and ensure regulatory compliance.
