…As Affected Communities Heap Praises On Company
From Isaac Akwetey-Okunor
(ikantso2012@gmail.com)
Residents, particularly communities affected by mining in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region, have patted the shoulders of management of Newmont Gold Ghana limited (NGGL), Akyem mine, for amply demonstrating responsible mining.
According to the residents, unlike other mining communities in the country where mining has become a curse, the Birim North District has, to a large extent, benefited immensely from the mining activities of Newmont.
They disclosed that NGGL has been making great strides in, not only mining gold at Abirem in Akyem, but being a responsible mining company, as its gives maximum attention to human rights, environmental protection, community development and economic growth, through jobs and employment creation.
Granting an interview with the Eastern File in a random interview as a follow up to presentation made at a day workshop organised by the company, the residents highlighted that the Newmont Akyem mine is the safest mine in Ghana, as regards the stringent measures put in place to protect the environment, and the forest reserves among others.
Drumming home its core values and mission statement, and as part of promoting corporate community development, the company established the Newmont Akyem Development Foundation (NAKDeF), and has since embarked on various projects, with majority completed and others ongoing.
The agreement is regarded as a catalyst for sustainable community development, with a contribution of US$1 for every ounce of gold sold, and 1 % of its annual profit before tax into a fund to finance the activities of the foundation.
The foundation, among other things, is focused on human resources development, infrastructure projects, economic empowerment, local grant making, sports and youth development, cultural heritage and natural resource protection.
On the health improvement access programme, Newmont Akyem has constructed the Adausena Maternity Ward at a cost of GH¢101,420; the construction of the male ward cost at GH¢219,834, and female ward GH¢221,918 among others.
On education, Newmont renovated the Adausena Local Authority (L/A) Junior High School in 2010, constructed the New Abirem District Assembly Primary School, Afosu L/A JHS in 2012, and the Ntronang Roman Catholic Primary School was also constructed by Newmont in 2010.
Besides, the mine constructed the boys dormitory of the Afosu Vocational School at a cost of GH¢405,568, Hweakwae LA JHS at GH¢237,608, and the Afosu Vocational School girls dormitory at a cost of GH¢405,568.
It constructed the Adausena/Hweakwae water system at a cost of GH¢749,053.66, the old Abirem Water systems at GH¢510,970 in 2012, the Ntronang water expansion project at a cost of GH¢258,689, and the New Abirem Government Hospital water system GH¢86,410, and provided water supply facilities for the New Abirem, Afosu Senior High School at a cost of GH¢65,317.
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