Newmont Akyem project spends GHc1.3m on water and sanitation

Mr Oduro-Kwarteng Marfo, the External Relations Manager, Akyem Project, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Koforidua that the company was also constructing a 285-metre high water reservoir at Afosu, which is 95 per cent complete, to support existing water storage facilities in the project-affecting communities.

He said last year saw a vast improvement in all areas, including infrastructure development, health, education and security.

Mr Oduro-Kwarteng said under health, the company had constructed two eight-unit nurses’ quarters, a maternity ward, male and female wards and provided a 275 KVA generator for the New Abirem Government Hospital.

He added that it had also distributed 2,500 insecticide treated bed nets to the communities to prevent the spread of malaria.

Under security, he mentioned the provision of a 14-unit police transit quarters at New Abirem to boost security in the area.

He said the company had already collaborated with the Birim North District Assembly to build a police station in the area.

Mr Oduro-Kwarteng said Newmont had employed 1,456 locals, representing 44 per cent of the company’s labour force, as part of its commitment to create employment for the local youth wherever it operated.

He said the company had also provided apprenticeship training for 66 youth under the Akyem Apprenticeship Programme.

Mr Oduro-Kwarteng said Newmont would continue to support communities in which it operated and appealed to stakeholders to also continue to demonstrate their support to the project.

GNA