By Stephen V. Lansana
In a spirited community engagement held on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the Baomahun Court Barray in Valunia Chiefdom, Bo District, FG Gold’s Community Relations and Social Performance (CRSP) Manager, Ms. Evelyn Gyanfi-Hassan, addressed a wide range of concerns raised by residents of Baomahun and surrounding communities. The meeting, themed Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges, was organized by the Africa Faith & Justice Network (AFJN) in collaboration with Radio Valunia, and brought together youths, religious and traditional leaders, company staff, and other stakeholders.
Responding to community grievances—including lack of employment for indigenes, poor road conditions, and the displacement of artisanal miners—Ms. Gyanfi-Hassan acknowledged the frustrations but emphasized that FG Gold remains committed to its promises and community development, even though full mining operations have not yet commenced.
“We are still in the construction phase, not yet mining,” she clarified. “Despite that, 65 percent of our employees are indigenes, and we’ve prioritized artisanal miners for employment, training, and business opportunities because we understand how our presence has impacted their livelihoods.”
Ms. Gyanfi-Hassan urged AFJN and other stakeholders to visit FG Gold’s office for access to documentation that could help clarify misunderstandings and support resolution efforts. She also highlighted the company’s ongoing contributions to the chiefdom, including the construction and renovation of schools and hospitals, road rehabilitation, and farmer compensation—reportedly at ten times the government’s standard rate.
“We’ve introduced livelihood programs for farmers and fulfilled our commitments to the community, even before mining operations begin,” she said, noting that full-scale mining is expected to start in December 2026.
While expressing disappointment over some of the concerns raised, she called for patience and collaboration, assuring residents that FG Gold is listening and working toward solutions.
The meeting, which extended nearly four hours beyond its scheduled time to accommodate community voices, also saw contributions from landholding families, local leaders, and government representatives. Among them, Commander Borbor Bayoh of the Sierra Leone People’s Party emphasized the government’s awareness of the issues and called on FG Gold to prioritize qualified indigenes for employment.
Recommendations from the meeting included enhanced livelihood support, youth employment, and targeted interventions for displaced artisanal miners. Ms. Gyanfi-Hassan reaffirmed FG Gold’s commitment to these goals, stating, “Development should connect us, not divide us. We are here to build bridges.”
The dialogue marked a significant step in fostering transparency and mutual understanding between FG Gold and the Baomahun communities, setting the stage for continued engagement as the company transitions into its operational phase.