Mpraeso MP Petitions Government to Block Renewal of Gold Fields’ Tarkwa Mining Lease

The Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Opoku, has launched a public petition urging the government to halt the renewal of the Tarkwa mining lease held by South African-owned Gold Fields, citing concerns over foreign control of Ghana’s natural resources and recent xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa.

The petition, addressed to the Presidency, Parliament, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and other key state institutions, calls for a comprehensive review of existing mining agreements and greater Ghanaian ownership and participation in the mining sector.

According to the petition, despite Ghana’s position as one of Africa’s leading gold producers, many mining communities continue to face challenges such as unemployment, underdevelopment, and environmental degradation after decades of mining operations.

Mr. Opoku argued that the key issue goes beyond tax payments by mining companies, stressing the need for Ghana to retain a greater share of the long-term benefits generated from its mineral resources to support sustainable national development.

The petition further states that Ghana now possesses the technical expertise and skilled workforce required to manage large-scale mining operations more independently. It maintains that the debate is no longer about capability but rather about the country’s vision and commitment to maximizing value from its natural resources.

Drawing comparisons with countries such as Botswana, the petition highlights the importance of leveraging mineral wealth to drive economic growth and national prosperity. It also references Tarkwa’s history as a state-owned gold mine, arguing that the country’s mineral resources ultimately belong to the Ghanaian people.

The petition comes amid growing national discussions on foreign ownership of strategic assets and renewed public interest in how Ghana can secure greater benefits from its natural resources.