The Western Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has stepped into the controversy surrounding Betterland Ghana Limited’s exploration activities at Gwira Banso in the Nzema East Municipality.
The intervention brings together the mining company, traditional authorities and community voices after weeks of disagreements over the company’s presence in the area.
While some residents fear the impact of mining on the forest and their livelihoods, others are pushing for the project, citing jobs and development.
For weeks, the future of mining at Gwira Banso has remained a subject of contention, with some residents questioning the legitimacy and environmental impact of the company’s activities.
The disagreement has now been brought before REGSEC, where both the company and community representatives were given the opportunity to present their positions.
According to Betterland, the Minerals Commission used the meeting to clarify its regulatory status.
Community Relations and Security Coordinator of Betterland Ghana Limited, Samuel Awudzah, said the Regional Director of the Minerals Commission confirmed that the company is properly permitted.
“The Regional Director of Minerals Commission was also here to clarify things, that Betterland is properly permitted with all the licenses and everything intact to do proper large-scale mining in the community,” he said.
The company insists it has not yet commenced commercial mining, but is undertaking expanded exploration with the relevant regulators, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Minerals Commission and Forestry Commission.
“We haven’t started operations. We are doing expanded exploration,” Mr. Awudzah added.
But unlike the concerns raised by some residents, the traditional authority says it supports the company’s presence.
Paramount Chief of the Gwira Traditional Council, Awulae Angamatu Tiguan, says the community needs the kind of investment and development that large-scale mining can bring. He pointed to nearby mining communities where companies have supported education and other development projects.
“Everybody support that company. It’s better we get a company in our area, like other areas are benefiting from the companies they are working now,” the Paramount Chief said.
Some young people also see Betterland as an opportunity rather than a threat.
Youth advocate, Maxwell Buampong-Abuaji, said he independently checked the company’s status with the Minerals Commission and believes the exploration should be allowed to continue.
“Why don’t we allow the company to undertake this exploration activity so that they scale up to commence commercial mining activity, so that they increase the numbers for the youth within the communities to get sustainable jobs to do?” he questioned.
Betterland says it has already begun prioritizing residents in its recruitment, even at the exploration stage.
“Almost 80 percent of our staff who are doing the expanded exploration are all indigenes of the community,” Mr. Awudzah stated.
The company also says it is preparing to sign a Community Development Agreement with the community to outline development priorities, while existing interventions include support for schools, the community health facility, internet connectivity and roads.
For residents who have raised environmental concerns, the assurances must translate into real protection of the forest. Betterland says it is committed to doing so.
For now, REGSEC’s intervention has brought the competing positions into the same room. The next test will be whether the assurances on legality, environmental protection, jobs and community development can build the consensus needed before Betterland moves from exploration to commercial mining.
