Three decades: No Legacy – Damang youth recall Goldfields’ mass dismissals and demand justice”

Damang, Western Region – Goldfields Ghana Ltd. will leave Damang after 30 years of mining. The government decided not to renew its lease. The company expressed shock and disappointment. However, local youth feel the real shock is what remains after three decades.

Emmanuel Afful leads the Concerned Youth of the Damang Catchment Area. He said, “Three decades is a whole generation.” He noted that there are no hospitals or clean water systems in some resettled communities. Poor roads and feelings of betrayal linger among residents.

A painful memory for many is the mass dismissal of over 1,200 employees by Goldfields years ago. Many were local residents who received no severance packages or support. Alex K. Aidoo stated, “They didn’t just dismiss people; they destroyed livelihoods.” He called it one of the most ruthless retrenchments in community history.

The youth believe Goldfields should have been a development pillar in Damang. Instead, it became a symbol of broken promises. They cite failed commitments from the 2015 Stability Agreement, like incomplete roads and no promised hospital.

Frustration has grown over time due to outsider employment in key roles. Francis Mensah remarked, “Thirty years of mining but few locals got proper jobs.” He added that locals were used for casual work instead of real career opportunities.

With the lease now rejected, youth see a chance for change. They want local content, community mining, and Ghanaian ownership moving forward. Eric Garibor declared, “Enough is enough.”

He emphasized their desire for a Ghanaian company that respects the land and invests in its future. “We are not just celebrating the end of Goldfields’ lease,” he said. “We are calling for a new era of responsible mining.”