E/R: Journalists briefed on progress of Newmont Akyem mine project

Newmont Golden Ridge Limited (NGRL) over the weekend engaged some journalists to brief them on the progress of the Akyem project in the New Abirim District.

The media together with the officials of Newmont embark on a series of tours in the Newmont Akyem mine host communities to inspect some of its operations and projects being undertaken by the Foundation in the mining communities.

The tour was to ensure that stakeholders are well informed about the project and to enable them to contribute to the decision-making process.

The Community Development Manager of Newmont Africa's Akyem Mine, Paul Suchmann Apenu explained to the journalists that the company, limited by guarantee, was set up by Newmont and Akyem communities to establish and manage sustainable development projects that seek to promote the type of development, which responds to the people’s needs and represents their goals, objectives, and priorities.

He noted that the development of the project involved the excavation of an open pit mine, the construction of waste rock disposal facilities, a tailing storage facility, and an ore processing plant.

He explained that several interventions were in place to compensate the 1,700 households and farmlands that were destroyed as a result of the project.

The affected communities include Afosu, New Abirem, Mamanso, Old Abirem, Yayaaso + Yaw Tano/Hamlets (Amanfrom), Adausena, Hweakwae, Ntronang, and Adjenua.

He said a livelihood programme called the Agricultural Improvement and Land Access Programme was to facilitate and provide access to agricultural land for farmers as a result of mine activities and to increase the level of production as well as develop crop diversity.

According to him, the company had supported the provision of household latrines and developed a landfill site in addition to an improved water management system in the area.

He said the Foundation has constructed over 330 meters of road with U drains at Afosu and its surrounding communities, constructed a conference room, and offices among others, as well as installations over 100 streetlights in Afosu, 19 streetlights in Hweakwae, and about 43 streetlights in Resettlement to enhance safety and security of the communities at night.

On Community empowerment in agriculture, he said the Foundation has supported Hweakwae Community in 2021 to purchase 50 acres of land for an oil palm plantation to support employment creation in the community, and an Oil Palm Processing factory at Botwekrom.

On Education, he said about 43 schools and school-related projects have been executed which include 26 new school buildings, 8 school renovation projects, and 9 other school-related projects including, landscaping works, chain link fencing, and school feeding kitchens.
Additionally, the NGRL has embarked on HIV and AIDS education and also exposed members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union to road safety and defensive driving.

He said the Foundation collaborated with GIZ to undertake a programme dubbed A-SEED which seeks to improve the employment situation of 600 youth of which at least 35% will be females in the Newmont Akyem mine host communities

He added that other interventions rolled out ranged from school buildings to Information Communication Technology (ICT) centers to train the youth, as well as Training of Apprentices with master craftspersons as 226 youth have completed training in various trade areas.