From Issah Alhassan, Ayanfuri
PERSEUS MINING Company Limited, a mining firm operating at Ayanfuri in the Central region, has provided educational lifeline to about 26 students in both second cycle and tertiary students within the catchment areas.
A total sum of about GH¢17, 500 has been disbursed to 17 second cycle students and nine tertiary students as part of its annual corporate social responsibilities to communities within its operating area.
Additionally, the company has also donated about 9,840 books and other learning materials to schools within the communities.
At a presentation ceremony held last week at Ayanfuri, the Chief Operations Officer of Perseus Mines, Jon Yelland, disclosed that the firm was working in collaboration with some educational institutions in Australia to support schools within the community with some learning materials.
According to him, Perseus Mines had already agreed to bear the cost of the shipment of the materials to Ghana, which is estimated to cost GH¢250, 000.
Mr. Jon Yelland indicated that in spite of the several operation challenges confronting the mining sector globally, the company remains resolute in fulfillment of its promises to the communities within their catchment areas.
“The firm is already supporting 90 students to undergo vocational and technical training at the Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI) whilst additional 76 youth have been trained in four skill area including Carpentry, Masonry, Plumbing and Electricals,” he added.
The District Chief Executive Officer for Upper Denkyira West, Mr. Ambrose Amoah Ashia, who witnessed the presentation ceremony, commended the company for their efforts at improving the livelihood of the people within the communities.
He stated that the most appropriate way to tackle poverty is to improve education amongst the youth, emphasizing that the company’s efforts at improving education in the community was a laudable one.