…As Proposed Esaase Gold Project About To Take Off
From Sebastian R. Freiku
General Manager of Asanko Mines, Mr. Charles Amoah
A public hearing for the proposed Esaase Gold project by Keegan Resources Ghana Limited has been held at Esaase Bontefufuo in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region.
The forum was organised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for over 3,000 people, drawn from 24 communities, where the mining conveyance belt would be passing to the main station for washing. The communities include Tetrem, Mpatuam, Aboano Tetekaso, Essuowin, Esaase, Akataniase, Bonteso, Manso Nkwanta, Suntreso, and Manso Abori.
Mr. Radford Sakyi, an official of the EPA, said the Keegan Gold Project Resources Limited has, since 2011, obtained its mining licence, hence the forum to ascertain operations and the corresponding social responsibilities for the people. The General Manager of Asanko Mines, Mr. Charles Amoah, said the company is fully committed to honouring its promises to improve the life of the people.
He said the company would take a serious look at employment of the people in the area, pay acceptable crops compensation to the people, and those to be displaced through resettlement. Mr. Amoah disclosed that of the 350 people in the area, 40 of them skilled staff, while the rest would be machine operators and labourers, would be gainfully employed.
The District Chief Executive for Amansie West, Mr. Alex Kwame Bonsu, appealed to the mining company to employ more people from the area, to avoid misunderstandings among the people, especially, the youth. Mr. Bonus also appealed to chiefs in the area to consider the local people when they are given the chance to submit names for employment.
Mr. Kofi Boateng, representing the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, indicated that Otumfuo was happy about the development regarding the Esaase Gold project being undertaken by the Keegan Mining Company. He called on the community members to appoint strong standing committees to fight for their rights. He also called for the establishment of a development fund to support the education of their people.
The Chairman for the occasion was Dr. Richard Amankwah Tuffour, a Lecturer at Asante Mampong, who presided over the forum, thanked the general public for their contribution and support for work to start in the area. He said all the chiefs of the community would be furnished with copies of the Memorandum of Understanding.
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