By Christopher Tetteh
Kenyasi (A/R), Aug. 23, GNA – The Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF) is undertaking feasibility study to execute a ‘cross-community projects’ that will create job opportunities for the youth in Asutifi South, North District and Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region.
NADeF was established in 2008 as the main driver of sustainable development in the 10 Ahafo mine communities- Kenyasi Number One, Kenyasi Number Two, Ntotroso, Gyedu, and Wamahinso in the Asutifi North District, and Yamfo, Susuanso, Afrisipakrom, Terchire, and Adrobaa in the Tano North Municipality.
The annual contribution from Newmont comprises US$1 per ounce of gold produced and one percent of net profit from the Ahafo South Mine.
According to Professor Yaw Ofosu-Kusi, the Board of Trustees (BoT) for NADeF, unemployment had become a huge concern in the mine’s operational area and stressed the foundation’s commitment to tackle the challenge and bring improvement in the life of the people.
He was speaking to the media on the side-lines of a field visit undertaken by the BoT to inspect work on the construction of some on-going physical development projects in some local communities around the Ahafo South mine in the Asutifi North and Asutifi South District of the region.
Prof Ofou-Kusi said NADeF was investing more than GH¢23 million in development projects in the area.
“Going forward, we are trying to implement cross-community projects that will spread across the mine’s 10 operational communities”, he stated.
These projects would not be an “exclusive property” but rather foster societal development for the benefit of all people in the Newmont operational communities, he indicated, stating that “our long-term expectation is that more young people will be employed for improved socio-economic livelihood”.
Prof. Ofosu-Kusi said the foundation was also working to facilitate a deepened collaboration among community members that would push sustainable development.
Hence the establishment of the Sustainable Development Committees (SDCs) that serves as a link between the mine and the host communities.
Prof Ofosu-Kusi said the Board was satisfied with the progress of work on the projects and commended the contractors for the excellent work.
“Education is very dear to our heart because it generates considerable self-reliance and has the potential to fetch the people jobs”, he stated and assured the foundation commitment to improve educational infrastructure in the area.
The Board inspected work on the construction of social Centres, footpaths for the safety of school children, classroom blocks and health centres at Wamahinso, and Gyedu.
Others include on-going construction of a palace for the Ntotroso community, three-storey hostel for the Twereku Apem Senior High School and another three-Storey boys’ hostel for the Ntotroso College of Nursing.
They also inspected expansion of a piggery farm at Kenyasi Number two and a four-storey lecture block for the establishment of a satellite campus for the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in the area.
GNA