A wave of frustration and hardship is sweeping through the homes of former employees of the Bogoso–Prestea Gold Mine, as they call on the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to step in and compel Heath Goldfields Limited (HGL) to fulfill its obligations and pay long-overdue statutory and contractual benefits.
In a heartfelt petition dated December 10, 2025, the ex-workers detailed their ongoing struggle. Despite a clear directive from the Minister in May 2025, which gave HGL 120 days to clear all outstanding payments, the majority of separated employees are still waiting for their lawful entitlements. Only partial payments have been made, leaving hundreds in limbo.
The petition paints a grim picture: months without income have pushed many ex-workers and their families into severe financial distress. The situation, they say, is “dire.” Some former employees have tragically passed away without ever receiving what was owed to them, leaving their dependents vulnerable and unsupported. Others, particularly the elderly and those medically unfit—now live in poverty and indignity, their dignity eroded by prolonged neglect.
“Hundreds of affected workers have been without income for months, unable to provide food, education, and healthcare for their families,” the petition reveals, underscoring the human cost behind the unpaid benefits.
The group criticizes HGL for repeatedly shifting payment timelines, making promises that remain unmet. HGL’s assurances that all arrears would be settled in December 2025 have yet to materialize, and the absence of clear, official communication has only heightened the anxiety and confusion among those affected.
Beyond the immediate crisis of unpaid entitlements, the petitioners are also raising important questions about the process that allowed HGL to take over operations at the mine. They draw a parallel to the fate of the previous operator, Future Global Resources (FGR), and demand answers about the financial vetting and commitments that were supposedly evaluated by the government. “These signs of financial strain mirror the very problems that led to the removal of FGR,” the petitioners warn, expressing concern about the effectiveness of government oversight in protecting workers’ rights.
Despite written assurances from HGL in late August and early October, key payments, including Provident Fund contributions and arrears, end-of-service benefits, severance packages, accrued leave, annual bonuses, and other statutory obligations, remain unpaid.
The group also laments the lack of accessible communication channels, which has left them in the dark and compounded their distress. Many feel neglected, with no way to seek updates or clarity on when they might finally receive what is rightfully theirs.
In a final plea, the former employees urge the Minister to enforce immediate payment of all outstanding entitlements, protect the benefits of those re-engaged, and establish strict timelines with penalties for any further default. Warning that their patience is wearing thin, they signal that public demonstrations may soon follow if urgent action is not taken.
“Our families are suffering, our dignity is fading, and our lawful entitlements remain unpaid,” the petition reads—a powerful call for justice and relief for the hundreds of households who have long relied on the mining sector for their livelihoods. The ex-workers hope that with swift government intervention, their long ordeal will finally come to an end.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com