Former and separated workers of the Bogoso–Prestea Mine have formally petitioned the Lands Commission and the Minerals Commission, calling for immediate intervention to compel Heath Goldfields Limited (HGL) to pay all outstanding entitlements owed to them. The petition, dated 10th December 2025, outlines what the workers describe as months of neglect, broken promises, and failure by HGL to comply with earlier directives from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
According to the petitioners, HGL has failed to honour the 120-day directive issued by the Minister following his visit to the mine in May 2025. While a few workers have received partial payments, the majority remain unpaid months after the company disengaged them. The workers say their situation has become critical, with many families struggling to survive without income. Some workers have reportedly passed away without receiving their lawful benefits, leaving widows and dependents in difficult conditions. They also highlight the plight of elderly and medically unfit workers who spent decades at the mine and are now living in poverty as a result of HGL’s failure to meet its obligations.
The workers accuse HGL of repeatedly shifting deadlines and failing to issue official updates. They say the company had promised that all outstanding payments would be settled in December 2025, yet as of 10th December, no communication has been issued. The petition questions why some individuals received their Provident Fund payments while the majority were told to wait without reason or transparency.
Beyond the unpaid entitlements, the workers raise serious concerns about the process through which Heath Goldfields Limited acquired the Bogoso–Prestea Mine. They are asking the Lands Commission and Minerals Commission to clarify the level of capital commitment HGL presented before taking over the mine, what proof of funding or guarantees were evaluated, and whether adequate due diligence was conducted to confirm the company’s financial capacity. They argue that the signs of financial instability currently facing HGL closely resemble the issues that led to the exit of the previous operator, FGR, raising questions about the rigor of the vetting process.
The petition outlines several outstanding payments, including Provident Fund arrears, end-of-service benefits, redundancy and severance compensation, accrued leave, annual bonuses, and other statutory and contractual obligations. The workers say that the lack of any official communication channels has worsened frustration and uncertainty among those affected.
In their appeal, the workers are calling on the Lands Commission and Minerals Commission to take firm and immediate action to compel HGL to settle all outstanding entitlements without delay. They also urge the two regulatory bodies to ensure that the restoration and management of the Bogoso–Prestea Mine is undertaken by a capable and financially sound investor. Additionally, they seek assurances that the rights and previously earned benefits of separated workers who have been re-employed by HGL are protected.
The petition notes that the workers’ patience has reached its limit after months of waiting in good faith. The continued silence from HGL, they say, has eroded their trust and forced them to escalate their grievances through peaceful demonstration and a formal petition to the two key regulatory bodies. They express hope that the Lands Commission and Minerals Commission will act swiftly to address the situation and bring relief to the hundreds of families affected by HGL’s persistent failure to meet its obligations.
