By Erica Apeatua Addo
Bogoso (W/R), Nov. 20, GNA- The Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Dr Isaac Dasmani, has commended AECI Mining Explosives, for maintaining the highest safety standards in its operations.
He stated that the company’s dedication to research and development had paved the way for them to meet the ever-evolving needs of their numerous clients.
Addressing staff, management and stakeholders of the company during the climax of its 30th anniversary celebration, Dr Dasmani said, AECI had embraced innovation and technology to stay at the forefront of the explosives energy sector as the world was constantly developing.
The theme for the anniversary is “30 Years of Providing a Reliable Explosives Energy Guided by Core Value Proposition.”
On employment, he explained that AECI Mining Explosives could be described as an outstanding employer of choice with a track record of fair employment opportunity for everyone and job security.
“The Company is enjoying a relatively peaceful industrial environment because of the harmonious social partnership established among management, supervisors, employees and trade union executives. For the past 30 years, very little could be said about industrial unrest, strike and lockout in the company,” Dr Dasmani said.
The MCE indicated that over the past three decades AECI had supported its host communities in the municipality and beyond with several projects and interventions in health, security and education among others.
On security, Dr Dasmani said AECI renovated the Bogoso police station, cells, charge and ammunition offices, provided water system, painting works and collaborated with other related mining companies to build a police checkpoint along the Tarkwa-Bogoso Highway.
In addition, he said AECI donated assorted books, computer and accessories towards the assembly’s Inter-Senior High School quiz competition, offered annual sponsorship drive for two top students at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) for Blasting Competency Programme (BCP) in South Africa and assisted Ayensu Catholic primary school with desktop computers and accessories.
Also, the company distributed 200 double decker desks to schools in the municipality, awarded scholarship to brilliant but needy students, constructed classroom block at Kwame Niampa and presented mobile libraries to five basic schools in its catchment area.
On health, the MCE noted that AECI renovated bungalows for medical and administration staff of the Prestea Government hospital, laundry facility for the Bogoso health centre and donated medical testing kit towards blood donation drive at Agroyesum Catholic Hospital, in the Amansie West District, of the Ashanti Region.
The Company also distributed 19,200 pieces of sanitary products to six primary schools in the municipality, supported teachers at Kwame Niampah and Bogoso to further their education, gave out sanitary kits to Lion’s Street electoral area and further partnered FGR to put up a community centre, mechanised water system at Akyempim and toilet facilities for “Camp 2” and “Akyempim School B” respectively.
Dr Dasmani said AECI was currently refurbishing a six-unit classroom block at Dumasi, on behalf of the residents of Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal, expressed his utmost gratitude to the company for the numerous supports.
The Divisional Chiefs of Prestea-Himan and Kokoase, Nana Nteboah Prah IV and Nana Kwasi Sompreh II, advised AECI Mining Explosives to engage their host communities more, “else they would continue to sing the old song, we have not seen anything, you have not done anything, but we have all witnessed they have done extremely well in their cooperate social responsibility”.
The Managing Director of Anglophone West Africa, Mr Johan Duvenhage, on his part assured Ghanaians that, AECI has a huge interest and desire to see Ghana fulfil its destiny of becoming the powerhouse economy in West Africa.
He said “Thirty years. It’s a long time, but also just the beginning. Over the coming years, AECI pledges to stand with the people of Ghana to support our shared values and strengthen the institutions necessary to protect them.”
He said they wanted to continue work together to stimulate and diversify Ghana’s economy, creating better jobs and more opportunities for Ghanaians, such that they could look back at 30 years of remarkable progress.
He said they would continue to work together and look forward to celebrating AECI Ghana’s achievements as friends and strategic partners for many years to come.
GNA