Lawyer Martin Kpebu has warned that the prolonged inactivity at the Bogoso-Prestea gold mine is taking a growing economic toll on local communities and the wider Ghanaian economy.
Backing concerns raised by the Catchment Area Community Alliance (CACA), Mr Kpebu said the failure of Heath Goldfields Limited (HGL) to restart operations has left thousands of livelihoods in limbo and deprived the state of much-needed revenue.
He described the situation as a “lost opportunity” for a region that has historically depended on the mine for employment and economic activity.
Addressing a news conference in Accra, Mr Kpebu noted that the Bogoso-Prestea mine has for decades been a key driver of development in the Prestea-Huni Valley area, supporting jobs, local businesses and municipal growth.
But more than a year after Heath Goldfields took over the lease, he said the mine remains largely non-operational, with little visible progress towards full production.
“The economic engine of this community has effectively stalled,” he said.
According to Mr Kpebu, the slowdown has had direct consequences for workers, many of whom are still owed entitlements.
He said delays in paying salaries, severance and other benefits have placed financial strain on families, while uncertainty over the future of the mine has made it difficult for workers to plan their lives.
Beyond the workforce, he pointed to the ripple effects on local contractors and small businesses that depend on the mine’s operations.
“When the mine is not functioning, the entire local economy feels it,” he said, citing reduced demand for goods and services in surrounding communities.
Mr Kpebu also warned of broader fiscal implications.
He said the lack of production means the state is missing out on royalties, taxes and other revenues typically generated by a mine of this scale.
At a time when Ghana is seeking to maximise returns from its natural resources, he argued, prolonged inactivity at a major gold asset is particularly costly.
“This is not just a local issue. It is a national economic concern,” he said.
The lawyer added that the stalled operations have created conditions for illegal mining to take hold in parts of the site, further undermining potential revenue and posing safety risks.
He also cited deteriorating infrastructure and flooding in underground sections as factors that could increase the eventual cost of restarting the mine.
“The longer the delay, the more expensive and complex the recovery becomes,” he warned.
Mr Kpebu said the economic impact is closely tied to what he described as Heath Goldfield’s failure to deliver on promised investment.
The company had committed to a large-scale financing plan and phased redevelopment, but only a fraction of the expected funds appears to have been deployed so far.
Without the necessary capital injection, he said, the mine cannot return to full production or deliver the economic benefits that were anticipated.
Mr Kpebu is urging the government to act quickly to resolve the situation, arguing that continued delays will deepen the economic damage.
He said authorities must either ensure that the current operator meets its obligations or move to terminate the lease and bring in a financially capable investor.
“For the people of Prestea, this is about jobs, income and dignity,” he said. “They cannot afford for this mine to remain idle any longer.”
