The Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Operations and Technical at the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), Onasis Kobby, has proposed handing over Gold Fields’ Tarkwa Mine to an indigenous Ghanaian company, Engineers and Planners.

Gold Fields’ ownership of the Tarkwa Mine has become a topical issue following a recent strategic policy direction being pursued by the Ghanaian government in the extractive sector.

As the government continues to push for greater local ownership of key sectors of the economy, the future of Gold Fields in Ghana has come under intense discussion, with growing calls for Ghanaian ownership to deliver more value to the country and its citizens.

In a social media post, Onasis Kobby suggested that the mine should be handed over either to Engineers and Planners, which has a strong track record in the industry, or to a consortium of local mining firms.

He believes this move would not only align with the government’s local content policy but would also empower Ghanaian companies in the mining sector.

In his view, Ghanaians are capable of effectively managing the country’s resources and can generate greater value in terms of revenue, employment, and socio-economic development than foreign operators.

“What about giving Gold Fields Mines to Engineers and Planners or a consortium of local mining firms? Ghanaians can also do it,” he said.

Onasis Kobby’s proposal aligns with a public petition launched by Davis Opoku, Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, calling on the government to suspend the renewal of the Tarkwa mining lease currently held by the South African-owned Gold Fields.

The petition, addressed to the Presidency, Parliament, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and other relevant state institutions, argues that Ghana must secure greater long-term value from its mineral resources through increased local ownership and participation in the mining sector.

According to the petition, although Ghana remains one of Africa’s leading gold producers, many mining communities continue to face underdevelopment, unemployment, and environmental challenges despite decades of large-scale mining activity.

SA