ghananlpcommunity/ghana-gov-speeches-sentences huggingface dataset:
Thankfully, after several months of legal tussle, I am happy to confirm that Heath Goldfields Ltd, the current leaseholder and operator of the Bogoso-Prestea Gold Mine, has paid a significant portion of the total indebtedness owed to workers in wages/salaries and with the signed MoU we have entered with Heath Goldfields Ltd, we are confident that the remaining indebtedness would be settled in accordance with the agreed timelines.
Comrades, whilst commending Heath Goldfields for the efforts being made to settle these legacy payments, I am also happy to report that Heath Goldfields has reached operational readiness and the Mine is about to commence production.
Let me therefore seize this opportunity to once again commend Heath Goldfields for the positive strides they are making to reposition the Bogoso-Prestea Mine on the path of growth and sustainability.
The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union pledges our fullest support and commitment to continue to work cooperatively and collaboratively with the Management of Heath Goldfields Ltd not only to settle the remaining indebtedness but to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Mine.
Having successfully gotten the Bogoso-Prestea Mine to operational readiness, we would like to use this opportunity to call on the Government of Ghana, through the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, the Regulatory Agencies, especially the Minerals Commission and EPA, to support Heath Goldfields with all the relevant permits/licenses that would enable them to commence production and processing of gold.
We also call on the chiefs and people of the communities of Bogoso and Prestea to support the turnaround efforts of the Bogoso-Presta Mines under the management of Heath Goldfields Ltd.
Increasing Fragmentation of Production and The Rise of Non-standard Forms of Employment Comrade Chair, the transformational changes taking place in Ghana’s mining labour market, unfortunately, have resulted in a marked shift in the nature of employment away from standard or permanent employment to non-standard forms of employment (including temporary work, casualization, fixed-term contract work).
As of the end of 2024, over 90% of the workforce in the mining sector is currently engaged in non-standard forms of employment with standard employment sitting just at about 10%.
As a result of this significant shift exacerbated by the continues fragmentation of production and outsourcing, and aided by policy reforms by the Minerals Commission and by extension the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in the name of local content/participation, which we find quite retrogressive, workers now have lower levels of employment protection, high degrees of uncertainty and face higher risks in respect of workplace accidents or injuries.
There has been a surge in workers and trade union rights violations, a shrinking collective bargaining coverage, job insecurity, threatening social protection cover, and fluctuations in income and pensions.
Comrade Chair, the current phenomenon where aspects of the mining business/jobs are farmed out at the least opportunity under cut-throat contract prices simply on the back of profit maximisation must stop since this arrangement continues to threaten and undermine the decent work agenda and impoverish our members.
Astonishingly, this continues to happen at a time when the prevailing business environment is super favourable with gold price hitting the roof, and should have reflected in the total well-being of the enterprise.
Unfortunately, this is not the case!
Comrade Chair, it is trite knowledge that there are certain aspects of the mining business that are considered ancillary or non-core and can generally be farmed out but certainly not the core business for which a company is registered to perform.
Unfortunately, under the guise of local content, these exploitative strategies continue to be pursued with impunity.
As a trade union, we take an uncompromising opposition to the current arrangement and therefore reinforce our position that mining companies must be strictly responsible for the core business of mining, including associated employees’ cost, and therefore should not be allowed to farm out the core business that they have a responsibility and obligation under the law to perform.
Whilst we generally disagree with this emerging arrangement in the name of local content, it is important to highlight the ills perpetrated by this arrangement and to call the attention of all actors within the mining space, particularly the Government, to take a special interest, as this has serious ramifications for the stability of the mining industry going forward.
As a Union, we believe that it is not enough for the Government to just intervene in the mining space by regulating that certain aspects of the mining value chain like mining and haulage, should be left for local entities as part of local content within the sector.
In fact, it is equally important that the Government takes a keen interest in ensuring that the contracts these local entities enter with these large-scale multinational companies are not, exploitative, cut-throat and suffocating since that is the current situation on the ground.
It is particularly important for the Government to pay attention because of the capital-intensive nature of mining and challenges associated with access to, and the high cost of credit in Ghana for most of these local entities.
The consequences of these cut-throat and suffocating contract rates are dire, as workers welfare in these local entities are relegated to the background and this is manifested in the excessive delays in payment of wages/salaries, non-payment of employees’ Provident Fund contributions and terminal gratuities, non-payment of statutory benefits such as pension contributions (1 st and 2 nd tiers), taxes and protracted negotiation of wages/salaries as well as conditions of service for our members.
In fact, the current situation for most local entities operating within the mining space is very awful, to say the least, and ought to change without any further delay.
We are therefore calling on all multinational mining companies engaged in this act and by extension the Chamber of Mines, to pay attention to this growing concern as this has the potential to threaten the stability of the industry in the not-too-distant future if nothing urgent and concrete is done about it.
We also urge the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to take keen interest by intervening with favourable policies and programmes that would provide some respite to these local entities and by extension our members.
Maximizing our stake/returns from the mining sector Comrade Chair , Ghana’s mining industry has been dominated and controlled by foreign interests, with over 99% of mining companies being foreign, owning 90% of the shares, with the Government left with a paltry 10% carrying interest.
Without a doubt, the Government of Ghana has, since the 80s, shied away from actively participating in the mining sector but has instead relied heavily on the tax-royalty fiscal regime.
As the calls for increased Ghanaian participation and maximisation of returns from the mining sector rage on, some have argued for a change in the current model to a complete takeover of the sector by the state, whilst others argue for a model that enhances our returns from mining by the renegotiation of existing contracts.
Comrade Chair , unfortunately, we do not think there is a one-size-fits-all approach to this.
In fact, given our history as a nation and the experiences of the state control of the gold mines popularly referred to as the era of the state gold mining corporations (SGMCs) in the 80s, and the challenges the sector got plagued with, we hold the view that a gradualist approach as opposed to a radical and indiscriminate takeover/non-renewal of mining leases as we witnessed recently with Gold Fields Damang, will be the way to go.
It is against this backdrop that in December 2021, we lauded Government’s plan to introduce what it termed the “Minerals Income Investment Fund Small Scale Mining Incubation Programme” with an allocated budget of GH₵354 million to help transform wholly owned Ghanaian Small Scale Mining companies into mid-tier to large-scale companies over a period of 24 months beginning 1 st February 2022, with up to 30% of the allocation earmarked for provision of equity capital to selected small scale mining companies.
Unfortunately, nothing substantial happened before the government of President Akuffo-Addo left office.
As a key stakeholder in the mining industry, we want to use this opportunity to call on the Government to see to the realisation of these lofty plans under the Small Scale Mining Incubation Programme.
Again, as a trade union with over eight decades old, we do not think the tax-royalty fiscal regime has not served us, even though it has its downsides.
We therefore believe that a programme like the Minerals Income Investment Fund Small Scale Mining Incubation Programme existing alongside a more enhanced tax-royalty fiscal regime would be a more superior policy alternative.
Comrade Chair, whilst advocating for greater participation by local entities operating in the mining space, it must be underscored that most local entities, particularly in the industry, are not attentive to corporate governance, CSR, and the well-being of workers as compared to their foreign counterparts.
This is because, time and time again, these multinational businesses have not complied with our laws, they have proven to have shown more empathy and concern to people management issues.
Aside their attentiveness to people management issues, they have a relatively robust system with well-established structures/standards (including corporate governance standards) that they rarely compromise and often would not hesitate to subject themselves freely to peer review and compliance with International Standards.
Regrettably, local businesses shy away from subjecting themselves to these standards of good corporate governance and for that matter good corporate citizenship.
The Union would therefore like to call on the Minerals Commission as the regulator for the sector to compel these local businesses just like their foreign counterparts to institute corporate governance structures, be more accountable and attentive to workers’ wellbeing and welfare, and comply strictly with corporate governance rules and regulations, and respect international standards/best practices, in order to avert the unfortunate but avoidable situation we witnessed in the financial sector where some directors were derelict in their duties whilst shareholders meddled in, and circumvented corporate governance rules that led to the collapse of a number of financial institutions denying innocent depositors their investments, imposing severe hardship on them and rendering most of them destitutes.
Over 19,000 miners' Life Savings Locked in Bank of Ghana Regulated Institutions Comrade Chair, over 19,000 miners have their deposits drawn from our provident funds, welfare funds, leave savings, and individual funds, including severance packages locked up in Bank of Ghana regulated institutions who were affected by its financial sector clean-up in 2018/2019.
As a Union, we are totally appalled and deeply disappointed in the Bank of Ghana as a regulator of these distressed financial institutions and its fiduciary duty to the citizens of this country to ensure effective supervision and regulatory compliance.
Indeed, the Bank of Ghana in numerous public statements over the years, have communicated in no uncertain terms that anyone who places funds with Bank of Ghana regulated institutions does not have to stay awake in the night because those investments were safe and that even in the unlikely event of any loss, Bank of Ghana would be liable.
Comrade Chair, it is against this backdrop that the unsuspecting public, including over 19,000 miners , placed our life savings/funds in these financial institutions regulated by the Bank of Ghana.
Regrettably, after more than four years on, we are told by the Minister of Finance, Dr.
Cassiel Ato Forson, that the Bank of Ghana, who is the regulator of these weak/insolvent institutions, must recover the assets of those institutions and use any recovered assets to settle depositors, and that the Ministry of Finance has no money for that.
Interestingly, the Finance Minister made this statement after acknowledging that the financial sector will require GHS 10.45 billion to address the remaining legacy issues and emerging risks in the 2026 budget.
Whilst we note the call by the Minister of Finance to the Bank of Ghana to recover assets of these distressed institutions in order to settle depositors, we find his comments very unfortunate and do not think that the government and the Bank of Ghana are fair to depositors like us.
Indeed, we trusted the Bank of Ghana, as a body created by law and given the functions of supervision and regulatory compliance, and therefore entrusted our life savings into the hands of these institutions licensed and regulated by the Bank of Ghana .
We therefore expect the fiduciary duty of the BoG to us to be fully adhered to, and our monies paid to us without any further delay.
We, therefore take the uncompromising position that the Bank of Ghana must fully refund our monies to us and recover the funds paid to us from the liquidated assets of its own regulated entities.
Anything short of fully refunding depositors funds will have severe consequences in the coming days.
Comrade Chair, we make this call against the backdrop of the numerous assurances from both the former and current governors of the BoG and IMF Reports OF May 2023 and December 2024 but without any success.
Conclusion Comrade Chair, as I bring my speech to our end, let me once again congratulate each and everyone of us for our continues commitment and loyalty to the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union.
This year, like many others, have been very challenging but with your support and God’s divine grace and mercy, we have survived it once again.
As I have always maintained, our strength as a Union resides in our unity and togetherness and I will respectfully urge us all to continue to focus our energies and resources towards promoting and defending that at all times.
Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year to you and your families and may the yuletide ahead be even better.
May God bless us all and make the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union greater and stronger.
Long Live the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union; Long Live the Trades Union Congress (Ghana) and Long Live our dear country Ghana.
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, esteemed members of the Ghana Journalist Association, thank you for the opportunity to address the Ghana Journalists Association as we commemorate your 75th anniversary.
As we reflect on the rich tapestry of your organization's history, it is essential to recall that my relationship with Ghana's media landscape has been long-standing and deeply committed.
Over the years, I have supported and sponsored numerous events hosted by your association, even during times when such associations could be perilous, potentially leading to the loss of livelihood or life.
Despite these challenges, my support never wavered, because I have always been consistent in my belief in the critical role of the media in shaping our society.
I recall with fondness the MEDIA Encounter Initiative which I founded and championed in the eighties.
The initiative provided an important platform for much-needed dialogue between the PNDC and Senior Members of your Association during a very difficult time in our history.
Most of your senior members actively participated in the activities of the initiative and can no doubt attest to its phenomenal success.
The foundation of our interaction has always been rooted in a genuine friendship—a friendship where honesty prevails, even when the messages conveyed are tough but necessary.
Today, I carry the weight of that honesty with profound respect and recognition of your contributions to our nation's narrative.
Looking back over the 75 years of your existence, the media landscape has indeed become increasingly polarized, with little room left for neutral ground.
This polarization threatens the very ethos of journalism, which, like the clergy and the teaching profession, is a calling that demands integrity and a commitment to truth.
Your role as the Fourth Estate is a cornerstone of our democracy, and your duty to hold power to account has never been more critical.
The influence you wield is powerful, with the ability to frame political discourse and influence public opinion, making it imperative that this power is exercised with the utmost responsibility and ethical rigor.
As we move forward, let us remember the sacrifices made by those who came before us, journalists who laid down their lives for the pursuit of truth and justice.
It is upon their legacy that the future of Ghanaian journalism will be built—a future where truth prevails over sensationalism, integrity over corruption, and where the pen remains mightier than the sword in the fight for democratic integrity and national unity.
Let us recommit ourselves to these ideals as we face the challenges ahead, ensuring that our actions today will honor those who have sacrificed so much and inspire future generations to carry the torch of truthful, responsible journalism.
The stability and progress of our Fourth Republic depend heavily on your resolve to maintain the sanctity of your profession and your independence as the Fourth Estate.
As we celebrate this landmark anniversary, let it be a call to all journalists to rise to the occasion, to uphold the values that have defined your noble profession, and to hopefully continue to be the beacon of hope and accountability our nation relies upon.
Your association’s inception came at a pivotal time, as Ghana stood on the verge of defining its future, breaking free from colonial domination.
Your Association, predating even our nation’s independence, became the crucible within which the fervent hopes and aspirations of a people were nurtured and expressed.
Even before the formation of your association, nationalists like J. B. Danquah, Kwame Nkrumah, Kofi Batsa, Eric Heyman, Kofi Baako, T. D Baffoe, Kofi Badu, amongst others stood at the vanguard of the struggle, wielding the might of the pen and the unwavering spirit of truth as they used their voices for advocacy.
Dreams of a liberated and thriving Ghana were expressed through purposeful writing and careful dissemination on pain of punishment.
These were patriotic men who were inspired and motivated by the ideals of a free and prosperous nation.
Today, as we traverse the sands of time, and reminisce the jubilation of independence, through the trials of military regimes to the sometimes rancorous, other times harmonious ebb and flow of democracy, we find the essence of journalism tested and exalted.
The courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment of your members have not only chronicled our nation’s history but have been instrumental in shaping its discourse.
Insightful and courageous citizens like Cameron Duodu, P. A. V Ansah, Kweku Baako, Kwesi Pratt, Kwame Karikari, Kojo Yankah, Christian Aggrey, Elvis Aryeh, Sam Arday Clegg, Kabral Blay Amihere, Elizabeth Ohene, Haruna Attah, Kwame Amamoo, Mike Eghan, Vida Koranteng Asante, Gifty Afenyi Dadzie and others have paved the way for many today, with some embarking on the struggle for freedom and justice at personal sacrifice and risk.
Sadly, some of your members paid the ultimate price in the line of duty, and here we remember with reverence, Tommy Thompson, John Kugblenu, the cartoonist Jo Mini and Ahmed Hussein-Suale.
It is worthy of note that journalism, while it may propel diligent investigators, analysts and writers to great heights, is not a profession for the lily-livered, the deceitful nor the greedy.
Through fair and foul weather, the journalist must be willing and able to tell the truth to the people.
Walter Cronkite, an American journalist of blessed memory comes to mind here.
Most famous for his title “The most trusted man in America” he was the news anchor of CBS Evening News for 19 years.
Cronkite's impartial reporting endeared him to a nation that needed trustworthy persons with the public communication platforms of print media and, in his case, broadcasting to tell them nothing but the truth.
Irrespective of the outreach of vested interests who would want the public discourse their way, he stood steadfast; embodied and informed the thought of the common American man in the latter half of the 20th century.
His honest and potent reporting on Vietnam moved the American people and led the President Lyndon B. Johnson to famously lament, “If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost middle America.”
The success of our attempt at a democratic order will depend crucially on how free the press is.
In the words of Walter Cronkite, ‘freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy!’
In the reflection of today’s mirror, we observe a landscape altered by the winds of change.
The once united front of objectivity and patriotism appears, to some, fragmented by the divides of partisanship and the shadows of materialism.
The noble quest for truth now competes with the allure of political patronage and its material rewards, a phenomenon which threatens the sanctity of your independence—the Fourth Estate.
Yet, this is the period when the vigilance of the fourth estate is most needed.
As we stand on the precipice of yet another electoral milestone, in my view, the most consequential, the echoes of past violence, the whispers of disenfranchisement looms and I don’t think anyone needs reminding that the conduct of the electoral exercise together with its outcome is so important that the nation cannot afford bias and unprofessional coverage of it by members of your profession.
I wish I could be confident that the coverage will be professional but am afraid I can’t, given the largely unserious way in which another important national issue- the most egregious abuse of the rights of millions whose livelihood has been decimated completely by galamsey operations, has been treated by your profession.
I don’t know whether you are exhausted and indeed frustrated by the shameful lack of decisive action from the authorities to your interventions.
All I know is that your association’s pen which is your weapon has gone eerily silent on this all important matter.
I would have liked to see a more concerted and sustained action from you.
Sadly, that has not been the case.
Galamsey doesn’t make the headlines anymore and yet the country is experiencing the ravages of this terrible phenomenon every day.
The alarming increase in children born with deformities, the epidemic of kidney and liver diseases, and the alarming mortality rates in the areas affected by galamsey activities appear not to merit your sustained concern.
What a shame, what a pity!
As Journalists the times we live in beckon you to remember your purpose, power and your responsibility.
The price of the continued silence is too grave to fathom.
It is in this moment of reflection and anticipation that the immortal words of Ephraim Amu’s composition, "Yen Ara Asase Ni," resound with unparalleled relevance.
The composition resonates deeply.
Its message of patriotism, stewardship, and unity echoes the ideals that all of us must champion.
What is truly remarkable is that the piece was composed in 1929, long before the nation state of Ghana was born!
With extraordinary prescience, Ephraim Amu actually predicted the current state of our nation.
At this juncture, allow me to recite the English translation of this timeless composition.
‘This is our own native land; What a priceless heritage, Acquired with the blood our ancestors shed for us; It is now our turn to continue what our ancestors started Bragging of educational achievements; Or useless greed for material things, And bad lifestyles are destroying our nation, and disgracing it.
Whether or not this nation prospers!
; Clearly depends on the character of the citizens of the nation.