Wassa Fiase Traditional Council rejects Gold Fields lease renewal for 2027

The Wassa Fiase Traditional Council and the Apinto Divisional Council have formally petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to decline the renewal of mining leases held by Gold Fields Ghana Limited for the Tarkwa Gold Mine. The current leases are scheduled to expire in April 2027, and the traditional leadership is advocating for the concession to be reclaimed by the state or transferred to a Ghanaian-owned entity. This bold stance follows years of perceived neglect and a lack of tangible socio-economic benefits for the host communities despite the mine’s significant production levels.

During a meeting held on November 4, 2025, the traditional leaders expressed deep dissatisfaction with the company’s operations. Paramount Queen Mother Nana Abena Kunadjoa II highlighted a long history of unfulfilled promises, noting that the community continues to suffer from poor infrastructure and delayed royalty payments. She argued that after decades of large-scale mining, the local population has seen little improvement in their livelihoods, prompting the demand for a change in management that prioritizes national and local interests over foreign profit.

The call for a takeover was echoed by the Apinto Divisional Council, with the Apinto Tufohene, Nana Adu Panii Mbease, declaring that the community would no longer accept Gold Fields as the operator of the Tarkwa concession. In statements shared following the council meeting, the leadership emphasized that the Tarkwa Gold Mine, which has roots dating back to the 1930s, should serve as a cornerstone for indigenous industrialization. They proposed that a local mining contractor or a Ghanaian investor would be better suited to manage the resources to ensure sustainable development and increased local participation.

The government’s response to this petition will be a significant indicator of its policy on local content and the management of natural resources under the current administration. As the 2027 expiry date approaches, the traditional councils have made it clear that they expect a transition toward state or indigenous ownership. This move aligns with a broader national discourse on maximizing the returns from Ghana's mineral wealth for the benefit of its citizens rather than external shareholders.