Tony Baah Esq, the leader of the Tarkwa and Apinto Youth, has made a bold declaration concerning the mining lease of Gold Fields.
Gold Fields operates the Tarkwa mine and has become one of the most politically sensitive South African companies in Ghana, who are now also facing its mining lease expiring.
Following the recent xenophobic attacks on Ghanaian in South Africa, activists and commentators have openly called on the Mahama government not to renew Gold Fields’ mining lease.
Some argued that Gold Fields can be used as a leverage point in diplomatic tensions.
Gold Fields has also become part of a broader debate about local ownership, with Ghanaians calling for the prioritisation of indigenous participation in mining rather than foreign multinationals.
According to Tony Baah, Esq, the youths of Tarkwa and Apinto want Gold Fields off their lands.
He highlighted that Gold Fields has been mining for 30 years, yet there’s no development to show for it.
Speaking on the state of development in the community on Asempa FM, Tony Baah Esq stated, “My father was a worker at Gold Fields, and they were even taken to South Africa for one week about 30 years ago”.
“When you look back at 30 years ago, our town had nothing. The road Gold Fields built for us three years ago did not even last three days before it started deteriorating. The Awudra road was built by Gold Fields,” he stated.
“There is no proper market in Awudra Township, and when you look at the clinic, it was our chiefs who managed to put it up for the town,” he said.
“The moment Gold Fields officials met the chief, I started getting calls to come and intervene. That is why I came with Nana,” he explained, underscoring the growing frustration among residents”.
Tarkwa youth leader added, “The government must help us by providing certain amenities needed in the town so that the youth will recognise that even if there are no jobs available, there are at least some accessible infrastructure facilities in the community,” he appealed.
“In these few years, their heavy vehicles have destroyed our roads. It will take more than three hours to get there. We want Gold Fields out of our land. They have mined here for 30 years, yet there is no development, not even a market to show for it”, he declared.
Some netizens reacting to the Leader, Tarkwa and Apinto Youth comments stated, “How can we give our national resources to a foreigner for 30year, that’s the slowest thing to do in this modern day. Why can’t we make our own resources? All these big men in the country, why no one is investing in telcos, cable networks and mining?
“As the saying goes, he will feel it, knows it.
He’s from the place, and if that’s their stance, I support it. Let’s manage our own resources!!!”, a netizen added.
One X user added, “Do you think Ghanaians will be allowed to mine gold in South Africa for even a day?
They should stop them as a matter of urgency”.
Also, Titus Glover, a former Tema East MP, has threatened to stage a one-man demonstration at Jubilee House should President John Mahama choose to renew the mining lease of Gold Fields.
According to Titus Glover, Gold Fields has been mining in Ghana for 30 years, asserting that the mining company has already gotten what they want.
Titus Glover added that he would fiercely oppose any attempt to extend the South African mining giant’s Gold Fields lease, arguing that Ghanaian companies should be allowed to take over.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Titus Glover said, “Mining for 30 years is enough; they have gotten everything they wanted. If President Mahama renews the licence, we will go on a demonstration. I will come to the Jubilee House with my signboard, one-man show, so the President should not renew it”.
“They have forgotten that we contributed to their freedom while they were struggling. From the time of Nkrumah and Rawlings, we all did our part,” he said.
“If people like McDan, Despite, or any other can manage it, we must give it to them. We must deliberately raise champions in Ghana,” he stated.
“I blame President Ramaphosa and his government for sitting aloof and allowing these miscreants to treat Africans the way they are doing. What is our crime?” he questioned.
See the post below:
We want Gold Fields off our lands. They've mined here for 30 years, yet there's no development to show for it… – Tony Baah Esq. (Leader, Tarkwa and Apinto Youth)#GHOneNews #EIBNetwork#GHOneTV #NewsAlert pic.twitter.com/VzCSNPKy9u
— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) June 1, 2026
