Workers at Gold Fields' Damang Mine are preparing to march to government offices to demand guarantees over their livelihoods following the state's decision not to renew the mine's lease beyond the April 18 shutdown date.
Despite the company's claims of extensive engagement with authorities, government has rejected the application to extend the Damang Mining Lease, placing over 1,000 jobs at risk.
The Ghana Mine Workers' Union says the protest is aimed at pressing the government to provide clear measures for affected workers and address the wider economic fallout of the shutdown.
Speaking to Citi Business News, the Union's General Secretary, Abdul-Moomin Gbana, stressed that the state must weigh the economic disruption its decision could trigger. "As it stands now it is obvious that if government doesn't change its position we will immediately lose our incomes and livelihoods but what that also means is that we may have to march up to government and demand our salaries and livelihoods from government," he asserted.
