Bogoso-Prestea Mine: Heath GoldFields MD Pledges to Settle Outstanding Entitlements of Former Workers by December 31
Managing Director of Heath GoldFields Limited (HGL), Patrick Appiah Mensah, has pledged to clear outstanding entitlements of former employees of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine on or before December 31, 2025.
The assurance comes amid threats by the ex-workers to stage a demonstration on January 6, 2026, in Prestea, tagged #Y’ABRE HEATH GOLDFIELDS DEMO. According to the former employees, the protest will proceed only if HGL fails to honour the MD’s commitment.
The planned protest follows concerns raised by the workers over HGL’s alleged inability to meet its financial obligations, including payments to three major contractors — Local Contractors Mining Services Limited, ENAS Engineering and Construction Limited, and Rockfield Mining and Construction Limited.
The workers contend that the delays reflect the company’s worsening financial position and threaten its operational sustainability.
Petition to Lands Ministry
The demonstration also comes after a petition submitted on December 10, 2025, to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Buah, seeking urgent government intervention. In the petition, the former workers urged the Ministry to enforce compliance measures compelling HGL to settle outstanding statutory and contractual obligations.
The petitioners expressed frustration over months of delayed payments, despite a 120-day directive issued by the Minister in May 2025 requiring HGL to clear all arrears. “The company’s failure to honour its commitments, coupled with the absence of official communication, has deepened the economic hardship of hundreds of families,” the petition stated.
Outstanding Entitlements
Former workers claim that despite assurances in letters dated August 27 and October 6, 2025, HGL continues to default on critical payments, including:
Provident Fund contributions and arrears
End-of-service benefits
Redundancy and severance payments
Accrued leave and annual bonuses
Other statutory and contractual entitlements
They also criticised the lack of dedicated communication channels for separated employees, which they say has fuelled uncertainty and frustration.
Workers’ Demands
In their petition, the ex-workers outlined five key demands:
Immediate payment of all outstanding Provident Fund arrears
Restoration of the Bogoso–Prestea Mine under a financially capable investor
Full enforcement of statutory and contractual entitlements
Protection of previously earned benefits for separated workers re-employed by HGL
Clear compliance timelines with sanctions for further defaults
The group warned that the January 6 demonstration will proceed unless urgent steps are taken to address these concerns.
