Bibiani: Angry youth fight Mensin Gold for jobs

Angry youth at Bibiani in the Western North Region on Wednesday besieged the premises of Mensin Gold Limited, demanding immediate employment from authorities.

Connect FM’s Western North correspondent Kwamena Fynn reported to Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson, the host of Omanbapa morning show, that the angry youth have given the company a one-week ultimatum to start employing them otherwise they will continue to demonstrate.

Convener of the demonstration Kofi Agbado indicates that the activities of the company have affected their living conditions and as such many of the indigenes have been rendered unemployed.

“The company stopped operations for over ten years. Our traditional authorities kept praying for them and now the company is back in business. Most of the youth here are unemployed. They promised us that once they start operating, they will give us a quota but what we have seen is that they have rather employed people from outside our community and that cannot be allowed,” Kofi Agbado indicated.

Assembly member for the area Kwame Asamoah expressed disappointment at the posture of the company.

According to him, they agreed on the number of people that will be employed in the community as part of the local content policy but the company has failed to fulfill its part of the bargain.

“We have all agreed that some members of our community should be employed by the company but all efforts have proven unsuccessful. The company has refused to work with the local content law and we cannot accept that,” he added.

Sustainability Manager of Mensin Gold Bibiani Limited Emmanuel Aidoo engaged the angry youth and promised to forward their demands to management.

“We have spoken to our bosses who live outside the country and they have asked us to wait for their response. We are working tirelessly to ensure that what the youth are demanding will be provided. We are only pleading with them to give us time,” he added.

Youth leader Agbado, in his response, indicated that they will continue to demonstrate if the company refuses their demands before Monday.

“We want them to know that we are not happy with what they have told us. We are waiting for their bosses and if they don’t tell us anything before Monday, we will continue to demonstrate against them.”

Source: Eric Nana Gyetuah|Connect FM|3news.com|Ghana