Golden Star Mines resettles community, trains and equip 150 youth

Atieku (WR), June 16, GNA – Management of Golden Star Resources Limited (GSRL), a mining company operating in the Western region has acquired a 36 hectare land to re-settle the people of Togbekrom, a farming community near Atieku.

The mining company, Atieku and Togbekrom are all in the Mpohor Wassa East District of the Western Region

Mr Robert Gyamfi, Community Affairs and Social Development Manager of the GSRL, on Friday, said 215 housing units would be constructed for the about 105 households and 28 hamlets, with additional plots left for future developments.

Mr Gyamfi said this at the graduation of 54 youth from Togbekrom, who have received six months free training in various employable skills.

The Community Affairs Manager said the gesture was in line with the company's social responsibility programme dubbed “Golden Star Skills Training and Employability Programme” (GSSTEP).

Mr Mike Hollywood, Group Operations Manager of the GSRL, said to build a strong and permanent relationship with its host communities, the company, in 2009 initiated the (GSSTEP) and trained 150 youth in various employable skills.

The beneficiary youth, from its catchment areas of - Dumasi, Himan, Prestea, Benso and Togbekrom were in addition presented with working tools to start their business in their chosen profession.

The youth received training in carpentry, masonry, electrical, mobile/watch repair, as well as domestic science.

Mr Hollywood gave the assurance that, in line with its corporate social responsibility, the company would ensure that the unemployed youth would be given skills to be self-dependent.

He said most of the trainees had already been employed at the Togbekrom resettlement site.

The Group Operations Manager encouraged the people of the area to build on the footprints left for them by the company to improve their lot.

Nana Kwamina Damoah, Divisional Chief of the Mamponso traditional area, who chaired the programme, expressed his gratitude to the company for the gesture and asked others to also assist to develop the area.

GNA