Heath Goldfields rolls out US$20m 5yr plan to transform Bogoso-Prestea communities  

By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY, Prestea

Heath Goldfields Limited, a wholly Ghanaian-owned company, has unveiled a US$20million five-year community development plan aimed at transforming livelihoods across the Bogoso-Prestea enclave through major investments.

Themed ‘A new era of growth, opportunity and hope; our commitment to community development’, the plan covers education, healthcare, infrastructure, skills development and local job creation.

Among key projects under the five‑year plan are education and training. Under this, there will be a nursing training college in Prestea, partnership with the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) to establish a campus in Prestea, a Technical and Vocational Training Centre at Beppoh, a new Junior High School (JHS) block at Dumasi, an additional JHS block and CHPS compound at Kwame Niapa and a new school block at Brakwaline.

Under Heath Goldfields, the company plans to establish a new clinic and CHPS compound at Dumasi, a CHPS compound at Kumsono and a CHPS compound and portable water facility for Akokobediabrow.

The final component is community infrastructure and enterprise. Projects under this include a modern community centre in Bogosom, a market at Bondaye, road network improvements at Mbease Nsuta and enterprise development and job creation initiatives to support local businesses.

Speaking at the launch, Managing Director of the company Patrick Appiah Mensah explained that the investment package will directly address critical development needs across its catchment communities through projects focused on healthcare, education, enterprise development, roads, water systems and employment opportunities.

He recounted the difficult condition of Bogoso-Prestea Mine when Heath Goldfields assumed responsibility for operations, saying it was a collapsed operation plagued by flooded underground workings, vandalised equipment, deteriorated infrastructure and huge unpaid worker obligations.

According to him, the mine had remained shut for more than 24 months – leaving businesses struggling, families without income and the local economy severely affected.

“In towns like Bogoso and Prestea, the mine is not just a business; it is the local economy’s heartbeat,” he stated.

He continued that despite these challenges, the company embarked on what it labelled one of Ghana’s most aggressive underground dewatering campaigns to restore operations.

He disclosed that the company has successfully restarted open-pit mining activities, restored critical systems and processing facilities and achieved its first gold pour after more than two years of shutdown.

“That moment was more than pouring gold; it was a pouring of hope,” he said, adding that the revival has renewed optimism for jobs, local businesses and economic recovery within the area.

Mr. Mensah revealed that the mine currently supports about 1,500 direct and indirect jobs.

“Within five months of resumed operations, we have spent more than GH¢150million on procurement within local communities to support indigenous contractors and suppliers” he said.

Additionally, he said over GH¢290million has been paid toward inherited worker-related liabilities, including salary arrears, pension contributions, severance packages and other obligations.

“Not because we created these liabilities, but because we believe responsible stewardship means honouring the dignity of labour, rebuilding trust and protecting jobs,” he stressed.

“As part of efforts to rebuild community confidence, the company undertook extensive stakeholder consultations involving chiefs, youth groups, women’s associations, opinion leaders, union leaders and assembly members to shape the development agenda – and this resulted in the Community Development Plan,” he clarified.

Apart from the five-year Community Development Plan, Mr. Mensah pointed out that the company pledged to transform the Prestea Goldfields Basic School and Golden Star Basic School into model community schools while expanding scholarship schemes, apprenticeship programmes and graduate training opportunities for young people.

He reiterated Heath Goldfields commitment to prioritising local employment, stressing that sustainable mining must translate into tangible development benefits for host communities.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, in an address said the initiative is proof that mining can become a force for inclusive and sustainable development.

He acknowledged that although Ghana’s mineral wealth has attracted global investment and contributed significantly to the economy, many mining communities have historically not benefitted adequately from the wealth generated within their lands.

“Too often, the story of mining communities has been one of environmental degradation, displacement and limited economic opportunity,” he noted.

He stressed that efforts are underway to ensure mining communities become genuine engines of local economic transformation.

He praised Heath Goldfields for reinvesting in the welfare of host communities and disclosed that policy reforms are being pursued to make community development obligations binding across the mining sector.

Chief Executive Officer-Ghana Chamber of Mines, Kenneth Ashigbey said Heath Goldfields has shown once again that responsible large-scale mining is not just about extracting minerals; it is also about building people, protecting heritage and planting seeds for future prosperity,” he stated.

He noted that no mining company can succeed without the trust and partnership of host communities.

“When a child in Bogoso can attend a world-class school funded by mining revenue; when a mother in Prestea can access clean water from a borehole financed through mining royalties; and when young people find dignified jobs through local procurement opportunities, that is when social licence is earned,” he said.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Commission, Emmanuel Enyimah, assured Heath Goldfields of the Commission’s support as the company pursues its operational and developmental agenda.

He encouraged management to remain committed to environmental protection, worker welfare and community development, expressing hope that the initiative will become a benchmark for responsible mining in Ghana.

Mr. Enyimah also questioned why Prestea, despite more than 120 years of gold mining, still still lacks the level of development expected of a major mining town.

Dr. Kwabena Duffour, Founder of Heath Goldfields, expressed concern over the fact that although gold mining has been undertaken in the Prestea area for more than 120 years, the town’s current state does not reflect its status as a major mining community.

He noted that as a wholly Ghanaian-owned mining company, Heath Goldfields is committed to driving the needed development to give Prestea the recognition and infrastructure befitting a historic mining town.

“We therefore call on the chiefs and people to support and pray for the mining company’s success,” he stated.

Chief of Prestea-Heman Nana Ntebuah Prah welcomed the initiative, noting that it as a major step toward improving living conditions within the mining enclave.

Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson and president of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, also commended Heath Goldfields for the intervention.

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