The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union is calling for urgent reforms in the mining sector, warning that increasing casualisation, outsourcing, and unresolved financial sector challenges are putting the livelihoods of thousands of workers at risk.
At the Union’s National Executive Council meeting in Accra, General Secretary Abdul-Moomin Gbana highlighted that although gold prices have reached record levels—up to US$4,000 this year—mineworkers are not receiving fair benefits. He said mining companies continue to enjoy “colossal” profits while moving more employees into insecure and non-standard forms of work.
“Over 90% of workers in the mining sector are now on temporary, casual, or fixed-term contracts. This trend is backward and weakens worker protection,” Mr. Gbana stated. He partly blamed the situation on poorly executed local content policies that have pushed companies to outsource core mining roles under conditions that undermine job security.
He acknowledged Heath Goldfields Ltd for clearing most outstanding salary arrears at the Bogoso-Prestea Mine and for achieving operational readiness. He urged government bodies—including the Minerals Commission and the EPA—to fast-track all remaining permits to enable full-scale production.
Mr. Gbana also expressed concern about the 19,000+ mineworkers whose life savings remain trapped in financial institutions affected by the Bank of Ghana’s clean-up of the financial sector. He accused the Central Bank of failing in its regulatory responsibilities and demanded the full release of all locked funds, cautioning that there could be “severe consequences” if BoG and the government fail to act swiftly.
On broader mining policy, he recommended a gradual increase in local participation, such as through the Minerals Income Investment Fund’s small-scale mining incubation programme, instead of sudden state takeovers.
He ended by calling for solidarity within the union and reaffirmed its continued commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of mineworkers across the country.
