Ghana: Bansah welcomes Minerals Commission move to address mine workers’ wage concerns

Mining consultant Dr Kenneth Bansah has welcomed steps by the Minerals Commission to address wage and compensation concerns affecting workers employed by local mining contractors.

According to Dr Bansah, the Commission moved on August 8 to address some of the welfare concerns raised by workers in the implementation of Ghana’s local content policy in the mining sector.

The policy requires certain operations at large-scale mines to be transitioned to Ghanaian-owned or locally controlled contractors as part of efforts to increase Ghanaian participation in the mining industry.

However, the implementation has faced resistance from some mine workers, particularly over concerns that employment under local contractors could result in lower wages and benefits compared with conditions they previously enjoyed.

Dr Bansah said concerns raised by workers include delayed payment of salaries, job security, pension arrangements and other conditions of service.

He acknowledged that workers’ welfare has become a key issue for mining unions and employees who have opposed aspects of the local content policy.

While supporting increased Ghanaian participation and ownership in mining, Dr Bansah argued that welfare concerns should be addressed through reforms rather than used as a basis to resist the local content policy.

He said the broader objective of increasing Ghanaian participation in the mining industry has implications for national development, but stressed that the benefits must also reach the workers who contribute directly to mining operations.

“It is heartwarming that the Minerals Commission has taken