Some youth in Prestea, in the Western Region, have praised Heath Goldfields Mining Company for what they described as the creation of renewed economic opportunities and improved access to responsible cooperative mining concessions, following the company’s takeover of the Prestea mine.

The commendation came during a peaceful walk organised by the youth to express their appreciation to the company for its presence and early impact on the local economy.

According to them, the return of mining activities has begun to restore livelihoods that were affected after operations at the mine were halted for about two years.

Addressing the gathering, former Member of Parliament (MP) for Prestea Huni Valley, Francis Kwasi Blay, urged the community to support the company and prioritise engagement over confrontation.

"I'm standing here as indigene of Prestea is like the time Health Goldfield came to take over the job, we were for and against and after we doing our research If we support them it help them to work to help the country Ghana to Prestea as well.

"And why I'm I saying this, since the time Prestea Goldfields became SGMC they have metaphors so many companies and now it has become ... And now today there is nothing good to say this mines company came to do this.

"God being so good, we've our own Blackman so if they get any profit, they'll not send it to outside the country," he said.

The youth, who participated in the walk, said the availability of responsible cooperative mining concessions and the resumption of operations have already begun to ease economic hardship in Prestea and surrounding communities.