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The Member of Parliament for Prestea Huni-Valley, Robert Wisdom Cudjoe, has in a startling revelation, exposed the dire circumstances facing the historic Bogoso-Prestea Mines, pointing fingers at alleged mismanagement by Future Global Resources (FGR), the company that assumed control from Golden Star Bogoso-Prestea in 2020.
Addressing the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) on Thursday, December 21, Hon. Cudjoe painted a grim picture of the mine’s future, calling on the government to urgently intervene to prevent its collapse.
According to him, “The Bogoso-Prestea Mines, which has been operating since 1925 and has contributed immensely to the development of this country, is on the verge of collapse if nothing is done to address the situation.”
The MP revealed that FGR, in its takeover, did not pay any amount and failed to inject capital into the business, resulting in an alarming debt of $90 million.
He expressed concern about the lack of transparency surrounding the takeover, with traditional authorities and communities allegedly kept in the dark.
“The traditional authorities and communities were not privy to the takeover or the purchase agreements, which raises questions about the transparency and legality of the process,” Hon. Cudjoe emphasized.
Highlighting the human impact of FGR’s alleged mismanagement, Hon. Cudjoe shared that many workers were laid off without receiving severance packages.
Those who remained faced precarious working conditions, including the lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), tools, and parts, jeopardizing their safety.
He also accused FGR of neglecting its corporate social responsibility obligations, impacting infrastructure development in the surrounding communities.
The company’s failure to pay for security services led to three robbery incidents targeting the gold room since FGR took control.
“I join the call by the traditional chiefs and mine workers for the Committee of Lands and Forestry, Natural Resources, and Minerals Commission to set up a committee to investigate the takeover or purchase agreement with FGR,” Hon. Cudjoe urged.
Urging swift government action, he stated, “The government must act swiftly to protect the interests of the stakeholders and ensure the sustainability of the mine.”
