Newmont commits GHS136billion to community development

Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, a leading multi-national mining company has committed GHS136,122,206.47 to sustainable development initiatives in its ten host communities since May 2008.

The communities are Kenyase Number One, Kenyase Number Two, Ntotroso, Gyedu, Wamahinso, Yamfo, Susuanso, Afrisipakrom, Terchire and Adrobaa.

Through its Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF), each of these ten communities in Tano North and Asutifi North districts of the Ahafo region can boast of development projects in the areas of health, education, infrastructural development, economic empowerment and cultural heritage, among others.

To date, NADeF has awarded scholarships to about 11,600 students across its host communities in Ahafo with some 377 tertiary students and 33 apprentices benefitting from the Foundation’s scholarship last year alone.

The scholarships, totaling GHS1,762,350.00, forms part of the corporate social responsibility of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL).

Partnerships
Liebherr Ghana Limited/NADeF Excellence Scholarship Award for the ninth time continued to support the human resource development of the Ahafo South Mine host communities with GHS20,000.00 annually.

The recipients include Samuel Afriyie from Kenyasi Number Two, a second-year geological engineering student at the University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, and Emmanuel Oteng, from Wamahinso, a second-year renewable energy engineering student at the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani campus.

NADeF, in partnership with the African Underground Mining Services, a subsidiary company of NGGL Ahafo Mine, for the second time, offered GHS63,000.00 to 14 beneficiaries.

Interacting with the media in Sunyani, Communications and External Relations Manager Samuel Osei also said the company last year paid GHS2.7 billion in taxes to the government.

“Ahafo alone contributed 1.2 billion to the amount. Corporate tax component of the GHS2.7 billion was GHS554.9 million while mineral royalties accounted for GHS325 million. Carried interest was GHS37.4 million, pay as you earn (PAYE) – GHS 186.1 million, while withholding tax amounted to GHS120.4 million”, he said.