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Newmont supports human resource dev`t in Ahafo

21.12.2009 LISTEN
By Michael Boateng and Clement Boateng - Ghanaian Chronicle

Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) has reiterated its commitment to support human resource development in the Ahafo project area.

Mr. Joseph Danso, Community Development Superintendent of Newmont Ahafo

Project, reaffirmed the company's commitment, at the handing-over ceremony of the Asutifi District Library at Ntotoroso.

He maintained that Newmont considered education and human resource development as a very essential component to the development of its host communities, indicating, “One of our key values, as a company, is to develop our people in the pursuit of excellence.”

Mr. Danso echoed that the first, and one of the key priority areas of the Foundation Agreement which led to the formation of the Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF), was human resource development, followed by the provision of infrastructure, prominent among which had been schools.

He was gratified that most of the projects that the local communities had agreed to use their first share of funds from the NADeF to undertake, was the construction of infrastructure for education.

He noted that as a company, Newmont staff would continue to strive to be role model corporate citizens, emphasizing: “Our quest to be the most valued and respected mining company, through industry leading performance, is no fluke.”

The Community Developer said his outfit would always pay a “listening ear” to the communities and district stakeholders, and strengthen the already cordial relationship which exists between them.

Mr. Danso was hopeful that the district would put together a small committee or board, to see to the management and regular maintenance, to enable the facility last longer to benefit many children in the area.

The Asutifi Library Project was initiated in 2004 by the Asutifi District Assembly, but could not be completed due to financial difficulties.

Newmont came in to assist, upon a request by the Chief of Ntotoroso, during the recent celebration of the Apomasu Festival at Ntotoroso.

Newmont's commitment to support the completion of the project, covered the extension of electricity to the facility, provision of furniture, installation of air conditioners, fans and bulbs, construction of a septic tank, overhead water reservoir, and installation of a WC for the toilet facility.

Out of the total cost of approximately $30,000 for completing the project, Newmont bore $25,000, while rePlan, a construction consultant to NGGL, contributed $5,000 used for bookshelves, aside the donation of library books to support the project.

The Information Technology (IT) Department of Newmont also supported the project with twelve desktop computers, to replace the faulty ones that were donated towards the project by the Mayor of Indiana, upon a request by the chiefs in the district, when they paid a working visit to the United States of America in 2006.

Some few months ago, the company handed the Ghana Education Service a new classroom block, in addition to a renovated one, as well as a four-unit teachers' quarters for the Dokyikrom School.

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