Newmont Goldcorp is set to construct some roads within the Ahafo South communities as part of broader efforts to boost local economic development and ensure a more efficient movement of goods and services within these communities.
Construction of the 4-kilometer road project which runs through Ntotroso, Gyedu, Wamahinso, Kenyase 1 and Kenyasi 2 is expected to take a maximum of 10 months and will be undertaken by two local contractors from Ahafo – Alexiboam Company Limited and Sarfpok Ltd.
The company has committed approximately GHȻ4.3m to the project while the two local contractors have also committed to support with any additional resources that may be required to complete the construction.
Speaking at a ground-breaking ceremony in Ntotroso for the construction of the road, Newmont Goldcorp Ahafo mine General Manager Bernard Wessels said the project aligns with the company’s purpose of improving lives and creating value through sustainable and responsible mining.
The road is being constructed on the back of a White Paper recommendation by the former Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, to help create more value for the communities, which the company said it has since committed and is working towards fulfilling the recommendations.
“As a company, we believe that our operations should contribute to the development and wellbeing of our people, demonstrating our purpose to create value and improve lives through sustainable and responsible mining,” he said.
In April this year, the Ahafo mine cut sod for the construction of a GHȻ1.9m doctors’ residence and children’s ward for the proposed Kenyasi Health Center as part of efforts to upgrade the Kenyasi Health Center into a District Hospital.
Ahafo Regional Minister Evans Opoku Bobbie who was at the ground-breaking ceremony lauded the ongoing collaboration between Newmont Goldcorp and the youth, traditional authorities and the District Assembly towards solving issues confronting the community.
He implored the youth to desist from resorting to illegal demonstrations and engage in dialogues to ensure peaceful co-existence and mutual gains between Newmont Goldcorp and the communities.
“Newmont currently has other growth projects in the pipeline, such as the Ahafo North project they want to invest in. I therefore urge the youth especially to resort to good-faith dialogue whenever there is a misunderstanding between the communities and Newmont.”
The Omanhene of Ntotroso traditional area, Barima Twereko Ampem III, who chaired the occasion called for cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure a successful completion of the project.
A team of engineers from the Regional Feeder Roads Department, Newmont Goldcorp Ahafo and Asutifi North District Assembly will supervise the road construction project.
Source: 3news.com|Ghana