Apinto Council proposes state-owned mine for Tarkwa communities

The Apinto Divisional Council has proposed the establishment of a government-owned mining company in Tarkwa as part of efforts to ensure host communities have greater ownership of and benefit from the mineral resources extracted from their lands.

The proposal, known as the Apinto Shared Prosperity Proposal, seeks to introduce a new approach to mining that goes beyond the payment of royalties and corporate social responsibility initiatives by creating a partnership between the government, mining investors and local communities.

Speaking at a press conference in Tarkwa, the Gyasehene of the Apinto Divisional Council, Dr Nana Adarkwa Bediako III, said the initiative is grounded in the principles of history, justice, equity and sustainable development.

He explained that communities that have hosted mining operations for generations should no longer remain passive beneficiaries but should become active partners in the management of and benefits from mineral resources.

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“The next phase of mining in the Tarkwa-Apinto area must move beyond royalties and corporate social responsibility projects towards a genuine partnership among the government, investors, and host communities,” he said.

Dr Bediako said the proposal would be presented to the government, Parliament, the Minerals Commission and other relevant stakeholders for consideration.

According to him, establishing a Ghanaian-owned mining operation would allow the country to capture more value from its mineral wealth while addressing concerns over the limited development experienced by mining communities.

“Our proposal to the Government of Ghana seeks not charity, but fairness. It presents a practical model that balances national interests, investor confidence, and meaningful community participation,” he stated.

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The Council raised concerns that, despite decades of mining activities by multinational companies, including Gold Fields Ghana Limited and AngloGold Ashanti’s Iduapriem Mine, communities in the Tarkwa-Apinto area have seen limited development compared with the scale of resources extracted.

He mentioned land degradation, inadequate infrastructure, limited economic opportunities and rising youth unemployment as some of the key challenges affecting residents.

He noted that an assessment of the Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine indicated that more than 4,000 hectares of Apinto lands had been degraded, affecting farmlands, livelihoods and the surface rights of indigenous people.

The Apinto Divisional Council expressed optimism that the adoption of the proposal would mark a shift towards responsible and sustainable mining, balancing national economic interests with the development needs of mining communities.

DR/MA