The Ghana Mine Workers Union has hinted at plans to picket the Jubilee House to present a petition to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo regarding ongoing issues at the Future Global Resources (FGR) Bogoso-Prestea Mine.
The union is demanding the termination of FGR’s mining lease. The Union has scheduled Monday, 16 September 2024 for the picketing. The union is demanding the termination of FGR’s mining lease, citing dissatisfaction with the company’s management and its failure to comply with regulatory conditions. General Secretary of the union, Abdul-Moomin Gbana, criticized FGR’s operations, asserting: “The claims by FGR that the Bogoso-Prestea Mines are open for business are factually inaccurate and a deliberate ploy to retain the mineral rights by any means possible. Shockingly, since the expiration of the notice and their refusal to comply with the Conditional Approval, the Company has resorted to using brute force by the military, intimidating and victimizing our members.”
The union plans to escalate its protest by extending picketing activities to Parliament and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. “On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 10 a.m., we shall converge on the precincts of Parliament to present our petition to the Speaker of Parliament,” Mr. Gbana stated. He continued that: “From Parliament, we shall proceed to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, where we will continue picketing until the end of the day.” This protest follows earlier demonstrations on April 25 and 26, 2024, in Accra, aimed at drawing attention to similar grievances.
The union’s upcoming actions highlight their persistent effort to address what they view as serious mismanagement issues at the FGR Bogoso-Prestea Mine and their commitment to advocating for their members and the mining sector. On September 16, union members will gather in front of the Jubilee House at 9 a.m. before moving to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
