Ahafo Police School benefits from infrastructural projects

The Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF) has inaugurated four projects at the Ahafo Regional Police Training School at Kenyasi No. 1.

The projects, constructed at a total cost of approximately GH¢4.1 million, are to improve the infrastructure situation in the training school.

The projects include a two-storey classroom block, consisting of 10 units of 20-seating capacity classrooms and a mechanised borehole, as well as 10 washrooms.

The other projects are a two-storey administration block made up of 13 offices, two conference rooms, a magazine (ammunition space) and a mechanised borehole.

The rest are changing facilities and washrooms, consisting of 10 water closet systems and washbasins, 10 bathrooms, two rest and changing rooms, and a 30-seating capacity dais for parade grounds.

NADeF's maiden project at the campus was the construction of a two-storey 200-bed capacity dormitory block built at GH¢1.4 million in 2022.

NADeF

NADeF is Newmont's corporate social responsibility arm with a focus on sustainable community development within Newmont Africa’s 10 host communities of the Ahafo Mine.

The two-storey classroom block

The foundation derives its funding from the commitment of $1 from every ounce of gold sold, and one per cent of annual pre-tax net profit from Newmont Ahafo Mine operations, to support community development initiatives.

Created in 2008, NADeF provided funding for the establishment of the training school, with support from the Omanhene of Kenyasi No. 1, Nana Osei Kofi Abiri, the community and the Ghana Police Service. 

Projects

At a ceremony to inaugurate the projects last Wednesday, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NADeF, Professor Yaw Ofosu Kusi, said the foundation had successfully constructed over 150 projects since its inception.

He explained that the projects included health, water and sanitation facilities, markets, social centres, classroom blocks, teachers' quarters and electricity projects.

Prof. Kusi said the initiatives had significantly improved access to education, health care, and sanitation services and advanced infrastructural development and social amenities across the communities.

He said the inauguration of the projects at the training school underscored the effectiveness of the collaborative partnership between NADeF and its stakeholders.

Prof. Kusi said NADeF would continue to strive to achieve its vision of ensuring the prosperity and self-reliance of the Ahafo community. He urged NADeF, Newmont and its Ahafo host communities and the government to continue their collaborative efforts to make the area self-reliant.

Sustainable plan

The Apesemakahene of the Kenyasi No. 1 Traditional Area, Nana Yeboah Asuama, urged the police administration to develop facility management and sustainability plans to maintain the projects.

He explained that management and sustainability plans were crucial in the maintenance of infrastructure.
Nana Asuama said without those plans, it would be difficult for the management of the training school to maintain the facilities.

Security threats

The Second-in-Command at the Ahafo Regional Police Training School, Superintendent of Police Randolph Somiah, pledged the commitment of the police to provide maximum protection for Newmont Africa’s investment in the area against any form of security threats.

He gave an assurance that the police would continue to beef up security to protect the chiefs and people in the area and enhance the smooth operations of Newmont. 

Supt Somiah called on Newmont, NADeF and the chiefs to support the police with vehicles to facilitate their activities and movement.

He said within the newly-created Ahafo Region, the police needed support from the chiefs and other institutions and organisations to improve their services to the people.

Writer's email: biiya.ali@graphic.com.gh