The General Secretary of the Small Scale Miners Association in the Ashanti Region, Michael Adu Gyamfi, has thrown his support behind the takeover of the Damang Mine by Engineers & Planners (E&P), describing the move as long overdue in Ghana’s quest for greater local participation in large-scale mining.
Speaking in an interview on ABC In The Morning on Monday, April 20, 2026, Mr. Gyamfi said the development marks a significant shift in the ownership structure of Ghana’s mineral resources.
“If you consider the historical antecedents regarding the ownership of our minerals, it is long overdue that we have Ghanaians taking centre stage in our large-scale mining,” he stated.
According to him, the association views the takeover as “a step in the right direction,” particularly as it aligns with efforts to deepen local content and participation in the extractive sector.
The Damang Mine takeover has, however, generated public debate, including concerns over the leadership of the acquiring company, particularly allegations about the Chief Executive Officer’s relationship with the President.
Addressing these concerns, Mr. Gyamfi suggested that excessive partisan rivalry between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) continues to cloud national development conversations.
“This situation has become necessary as a result of the unhealthy politicking between NPP and NDC,” he said. “It is not above or beyond them that Ghana takes its place. For us, development and progress is the concern, but the rivalry aspect of their politicking has become something that is retrogressing us.”
He urged stakeholders to focus on the broader national interest rather than partisan considerations, stressing the importance of advancing Ghana’s economic prospects through strategic ownership of its natural resources.
Mr. Gyamfi also highlighted the need for value addition in the gold sector, noting that local ownership could pave the way for increased processing capacity within the country.
“Having a processing factory where we add value to our gold will increase our chances of getting more proceeds from our produce,” he added.
