The President of the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Barimah Twereko Ampem II, has lauded Newmont Ahafo Mine for honoring its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitments to its host communities.
Speaking during a working visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Natural Resources to Newmont Ahafo South Mine, Barimah Twereko Ampem II commended the company's efforts in ensuring good community relations and implementing sustainable development projects.
Sustainable Development Projects
The company has successfully executed several projects, including the Ntotroso Nursing and Midwifery College, the Ntotroso Senior High School, the Police Training Centre at Kenyasi Number One, and a satellite campus of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) at Kenyasi Number Two. Barimah Twereko Ampem II noted that the Ntotroso Nursing and Midwifery College has produced over 500 nurses serving in various health institutions across the country.
We insisted that 50% of each academic year's students intake of the Ntotroso Nursing and Midwifery College must come from the Ntotroso town, and through that Ntotroso can boast of about 500 nurses serving in various health institutions across the country." - Barimah Twereko Ampem II
Community Engagement
The chiefs have been instrumental in introducing the Newmont Apprenticeship Programme, which has trained many youth from the company's host communities in critical areas of mining. Barimah Twereko Ampem II emphasized the excellent relationship between the company and the chiefs, saying that whenever issues arise, they are addressed through dialogue.
Whenever our people are unhappy about some aspects of their operations, and we (the chiefs) summon the company's officials, they listen to us, and adhere to our counsel, and through that we chart a common course." - Barimah Twereko Ampem II
Challenges and Support
The General Manager of Newmont Ahafo South Mine, Alex Kofi Annim, highlighted the challenge of illegal mining and appealed for support from the Committee, government, and stakeholders to address the issue.
He said Newmont Ahafo Mine had, since its operations in 2006, produced approximately 9.6 million ounces of gold, and currently has a workforce of about 5,581 (both direct employees and workers of contractors working for the company)
The General Manager also disclosed that taxes paid to the government to date amounted to over $2.29 billion
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