By: Gloria Anderson
Former workers of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine have petitioned the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, urging immediate enforcement action against Heath Goldfields Limited (HGL) for what they describe as persistent failure to pay outstanding entitlements months after their disengagement.
Presenting the petition in Accra, the workers accused HGL of disregarding the Minister’s 120-day directive issued during his visit to the mine in May 2025, despite repeated assurances that all statutory and contractual benefits would be honoured.
Spokesperson Gabriel Madobi said that although a few workers received partial provident fund payments, the majority are still owed severance, end-of-service benefits, accrued leave, bonuses, and other entitlements.
“September passed, October passed, November passed HGL still hasn’t paid us. Only a few received partial PF payments. Most of our benefits are still outstanding,”he said.
The former workers noted that they had initially welcomed HGL as the new operator after the exit of Future Global Resources (FGR), believing the company possessed the financial strength to revive the mine. However, they say HGL’s first action, disengaging all workers raised doubts about its capacity and intentions.
They further questioned whether adequate due diligence was conducted before the company was handed the mining lease.
“If HGL truly has the financial strength they presented to the government, why are we suffering today?” the petition reads.
According to the workers, the prolonged delay in payments has plunged many families into hardship, with some former employees reportedly dying without receiving their benefits. Others, they said, are struggling to provide food, healthcare, and education for their dependents.
The petition also referenced ongoing community protests in Prestea, which they believe signal broader operational and financial challenges within HGL.
The workers are calling on the Minister to:
-Compel HGL to immediately pay all outstanding entitlements, including provident fund arrears.
-Enforce firm compliance timelines and apply sanctions for further violations.
-Conduct a full review of HGL’s financial capacity and, if necessary, restore the mine under a more capable investor.
-Protect the rights of separated workers who have been re-engaged by HGL.
Appealing directly to the President, the group urged him to intervene and correct what they described as “wrongs” at the mine.
“Mr. President, your children are begging you please come to our aid and bring in a capable investor to turn the mine around,”Madobi said.
The petitioners said they will continue peaceful demonstrations and public advocacy until all outstanding entitlements are fully paid.
