Takoradi, April 22, – The Leader of the Western Nzema Youth League (WNYL), Dr Patrick Ekye Kwesie, says the assumption of operations of the Damang Gold Mine by Engineers and Planners (E&P) represents a major step towards local ownership and empowerment in Ghana’s mining sector.
He said the development reflects a long-overdue shift from foreign dominance in mining operations towards Ghanaian-led management and greater retention of resource benefits within local communities.
“For too long, the narrative has been dominated by foreign expertise and external profit repatriation. While international partnerships have their place, overreliance on them has limited the growth of indigenous knowledge and constrained local economic empowerment,” he said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency.
Dr Kwesie noted that although the Damang Mine had generated significant wealth over the years, host communities in the Wassa enclave continued to face unemployment and environmental challenges, with limited visible development outcomes.
He said Ghanaian leadership at the mine presents an opportunity to reshape operations towards stronger local employment, skills development, and community-focused investment.
“This transition is more than a change in management; it is a step towards reclaiming control over our resources and ensuring they work better for national development,” he stated.
Dr Kwesie called on policymakers and stakeholders to ensure the mine becomes a benchmark for value addition in Ghana rather than the export of raw minerals, stressing the need for transparency and accountability in resource governance.
He further urged E&P to introduce structured training and entrepreneurship programmes for young people in the Western Region to enhance their participation in the mining value chain.
According to him, youth inclusion in decision-making processes is critical to ensuring sustainable development and long-term community ownership of mining benefits.
“The youth must remain engaged and vigilant to ensure equitable use of our resources,” he added.
GHBUSS
April 22, 2026
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