NDC Prestea Huni Valley Constituency Supports Ishaque Dauda's Appointment as MD of Prestea Sankofa Gold Limited

The Communication Bureau of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Prestea Huni Valley Constituency has issued a formal response to a group claiming to represent local miners and residents who have raised concerns over the recent appointment of Alhaji Ishaque Dauda as the Acting Managing Director (MD) of Prestea Sankofa Gold Limited (PSGL). The NDC strongly rejected the allegations and characterized them as misleading, driven by self-interest and greed, and aimed at destabilizing both the company and the community’s development.

In a statement signed by Mr. Kwabena Bonful, the NDC’s Communication Officer for the Prestea Huni Valley Constituency, the party emphasized its full support for Mr. Dauda’s leadership and progress within his first month at the helm of PSGL. The statement described the objections raised by the group as unfounded and a distraction from the actual strides Mr. Dauda has made in his early tenure. The NDC also highlighted the transformative measures Mr. Dauda has already introduced, including a thorough audit of the company’s operations and financial standing, which was necessary after what they described as the previous leadership’s lack of competence and accountability.

The NDC specifically challenged the assertion that local miners in Prestea supply a significant portion of the company’s raw materials. The group had claimed that Prestea miners contribute “85 to 90 percent” of PSGL’s feedstock, a statement the NDC refuted. According to the NDC, while PSGL has sourced materials from local miners, the company’s operations extend beyond Prestea, relying on various suppliers from different areas. PSGL, established in 1994 to process gold from old tailings, maintains a broad network of small-scale miners and suppliers.

The NDC also responded to claims that local miners could disrupt PSGL’s operations by blocking trucks or withholding tailings. The party labeled such threats as unrealistic and exaggerated, underscoring that they overestimate the power of these individuals and underestimate the resilience and operational capacity of the company. The statement reminded the public of the economic hardships the community faced during PSGL’s closure from 2016 to 2019, noting that attempts to sabotage the company’s operations would only serve to harm the community and its residents.

A critical part of the NDC’s response was its defense of Mr. Dauda’s leadership style, which they praised for promoting transparency and accountability—qualities they argued were sorely lacking under the previous management, which they criticized for being riddled with “mediocre NPP loyalists.” Within just over a month in office, Mr. Dauda had already made strides in improving the company’s operations and addressing legacy issues, including the revitalization of the company’s tailings dam, a project his critics have failed to acknowledge. The NDC pointed to this accomplishment as a clear indication of Mr. Dauda’s capability and commitment to improving PSGL’s performance.

The party also dismissed the individuals opposing Mr. Dauda’s appointment as “faceless entities” driven by selfish motives. The NDC accused these individuals of trying to undermine Mr. Dauda’s efforts because they feared his leadership would put an end to their corrupt practices that flourished under the previous regime. According to the NDC, these critics were not legitimate community representatives, but rather individuals whose personal interests were threatened by the new management.

The NDC also took the opportunity to reject claims that Mr. Dauda’s non-indigenous background would harm the NDC’s electoral prospects in Prestea. The party pointed out that past electoral victories had been achieved even when the MDs of PSGL were not from the local area. The assertion that the NDC’s defeat in previous elections was linked to a non-local MD appointment, they argued, was an oversimplification of electoral dynamics and an attempt to create unnecessary division within the community.

In conclusion, the NDC urged all residents of Prestea Huni Valley, along with its supporters and all well-meaning Ghanaians, to rally behind Mr. Dauda’s leadership. They emphasized that his vision aligns with the President’s agenda for national development and the revitalization of Prestea. The statement reinforced that Mr. Dauda’s leadership would not only restore the company’s operations but also generate jobs, stimulate local commerce, and revitalize the community’s economy. The NDC called on the community to embrace his leadership, as it is in the best interest of everyone in Prestea.

The statement ended by firmly distancing the NDC from the group of 13 individuals opposing Mr. Dauda’s appointment, asserting that the NDC in Prestea Huni Valley was united in supporting the President’s choice. “Prestea is his home, and he can count on the full support of the NDC in the constituency,” the statement concluded.