From Michael Boateng.
The Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF) has spent GH¢1.2 million towards the construction of social and other development projects at Kenyasi Number One in the Ahafo project of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited in the region.
The projects are a Community Center, separate Information Communication centers (ICT) for the local Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican and Roman Catholic Junior High schools, as well as a one-storey classroom block for the Osei Kofi Abiri Model School with an ICT center.
At a symbolic ceremony to inaugurate the projects at Kenyasi Number One, Nana Osei Kofi Abiri, Omanhene of Kenyasi Number One, commended Newmont Ahafo Mine for the projects. He said the Traditional Council was putting up a modern palace, and appealed to the mining company for assistance towards its completion.
Nana Abiri II noted that since Newmont started operations in the area, the 10 mine-take communities had benefited immensely from several social responsibility programmes, and other poverty alleviating interventions. He called on the people in the mine’s catchment areas to strengthen the existing peaceful relationship with the mining company for their mutual benefit.
NADeF is funded by Newmont Ahafo Mine, based on contributions from one US dollar of every ounce of gold sold, and one percent of net pre-tax profit. Currently, Newmont’s contribution to the foundation, established in 2008, stands at GH¢29.7 million. The 10 mine-take communities are Kenyasi Number One and Kenyasi Number Two, Ntotroso, Gyedu and Wamahinso in the Asutifi North District, and Yamfo, Susuanso, Techire, Adrobaa, and Afrisipakrom in the Tano North District.
Mr. Kwame Saarah-Mensah, Board Chairman of NADeF, said the foundation had awarded scholarships to 4,986 Senior High School and Tertiary students to the tune of GH¢5,306,073.01, adding that additional an 499 apprentices from the host communities had also been sponsored. He explained that portion of the Foundation’s contribution had also been set aside as an Endowment Fund that would be used to sustain NADeF after the operations of Newmont comes to an end.
He further added that Kenyasi Number One alone had been allotted with GH¢4,147,390.18 towards development. Mr. Paul Sowley, Senior Manager, Environment and Social Responsibility of Newmont Ahafo Mine, said even though the price of gold remained lower, the company would continue to execute excellent social responsibility programmes for the benefit of the mine-take communities.