The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Simon Osei-Mensah, has urged management of Asanko Gold, a gold mining company in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region, to deepen relations with their communities of operation.
Mr. Osei-Mensah stressed the need for the gold mining company to engage them the more, especially on issues regarding jobs and things that directly affect the lives of the people in the area.
That, according to the minister, will help to greatly reduce the many suspicions that local people harbour which, in most cases, lead to unnecessary confrontations with mining companies.
“It is really necessary for you to constantly engage the communities on your operations so as to build sustainable and effective partnership in building this community, for them to know what really goes on the grounds,” he said.
Mr. Osei-Mensah made the call while he was speaking to journalists in an interview on the sidelines after he and members of the Ashanti Regional Security Council paid a visit to the mine.
According to the minister, for the company to operate without facing the wrath of the youth, it should prioritise the needs of the youth and act accordingly in their capacity.
Executive Corporate Affairs Manager of Asanko, Frederick Attakumah, revealed to the Ashanti regional minister that the company was losing hope in traditional authorities since they rather endorse applicants who are not from the catchment area.
The minister and his entourage visited the company to know and help address issues confronting them and their communities.
The regional minister’s visit to the mines was also to check operational activities and also help find remedies to petitions filed by residents.
General Manager in-charge of Operations at Asanko Gold, Mr. Charles Amoah, explained how the company had helped in addressing some of the needs of the communities.
He said Asanko Gold partnered with some companies from Germany and Canada to build a library for the community to enhance teaching and learning and also to train the youth in vocational skills in 2016.
Mr. Amoah added that the company had also built a cooperative credit union to provide access to credit for small businesses within the communities and a 200kVA/0.44kV power transformer to the community to replace the failed unit.
To contribute to health delivery, the mine has planned on delivering medical supplies and equipment to the various health facilities in the communities this year.
Charles Amoah, however, blamed the recent flooding of the community on excessive rainfall which was beyond their control, adding that they have, hence, arranged alternative accommodation for the victims, while they are constructing new channels to permanently divert runoff from the community.
The minister and his deputy, Madam Elizabeth Agyeman, were accompanied by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the Immigration Service, the Military Service, the Prisons Service, and other security services.
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