The Western Regional Coordinating Council is seeking stronger collaboration with Gold Fields Ghana Limited to ensure that mining activity translates into sustainable and measurable development for host communities and the wider region.
The Western Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Nelson, made the call during a working visit to Gold Fields as part of his familiarisation engagements with major industries across the Region. The visit provided an opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the company’s operations, sustainability initiatives, community investments and strategic outlook.
The Minister commended Gold Fields for its contributions to the regional mining ecosystem, particularly its environmental stewardship, land reclamation, re-vegetation and Corporate Social Investment initiatives.
Discussions also highlighted the threat posed by illegal mining, including attempts by groups operating under the banner of Cooperative Mining to gain access to portions of mining concessions. The Minister stressed that such activities must follow established regulatory procedures and cannot involve the unilateral appropriation of concessions.
He called for stronger coordination among mining companies, regulatory institutions, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and the Regional Coordinating Council. Such coordination, he said, is essential to closing institutional gaps, strengthening trust and creating a stable operating environment while protecting communities, the environment and national economic interests.
The Minister also welcomed Gold Fields’ collaboration with the Assembly in responding to specific local development needs and called for stronger public-private partnerships that deliver shared value.
He stressed that the Region’s objective must go beyond hosting mineral resources to ensuring that responsible mining generates jobs, community development, environmental protection and lasting economic value. For the Western Region, responsible mining must ultimately translate into responsible development.
