According to the workers, no investment has occurred at the mine since Future Global Resources took possession in 2020.
Samuel Kumi Manu, the General Secretary of the Senior Staff Union of FGR Bogoso-Prestea Mines, stated in an interview that the company’s administration has failed miserably.
“Since FGR took over, the mine was in debt of over $30 million but as we speak, the debt portfolio of the company has risen to over $100 million. And this debt includes indebtedness to workers. For the past two years, the company has not been able to pay SSNIT contributions to workers, the occupational working scheme from which workers are supposed to benefit,” he added.
The workers marched on Tuesday, January 30, against what they allege is mining mismanagement, which has harmed production and worker payment systems.
Samuel Kumi Manu, the General Secretary of FGR Bogoso-Prestea Mines’ senior staff union, and other workers told Citi News during the rally that the mine has not received any investment since FGR took control in 2020.
They so petitioned the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, to seek proof of FGR’s financial competence before deciding whether to seize the mine from them.
“We want the sector minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, to take action because we know on record that the minister has, on two occasions, issued ultimatums to FGR to show proof of financial capability. However, on both occasions, FGR has failed to comply. This implies that FGR does not have the means to operate the mine. Therefore, we expect the minister to intervene and transfer it to a credible investor who can inject financial capacity into the operation, as what we lack now is finances.”
