AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem inaugurates projects

By Erica Apeatua Addo, GNA
Adieyie (W/R), March 29, GNA - AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem (AAI) mine has inaugurated various projects totalling GH¢1,004,135.00 on its community trust fund projects for the year 2015-2016.

The projects which were completed within a short period include a Junior High School block equipped with an Information Communication Technology centre, furniture, toilet facilities and a social centre.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony Mr Jasper Musadaidzwa, the Managing Director of AAI mine, said the community trust fund was introduced in 2012 as part of a stability agreement with the Government of Ghana, with the objective of supporting the long term sustainable of their host communities.

He said over a period of five years, the company had spent above 3 million Ghana cedis on its host communities.

Mr Musadaidzwa said it is their corporate responsibility and intention that wherever the company operate they leave the communities and society with a sustainable future.

He said over the years the company has provided access to improve health care, water, sanitation and educational facilities, social and economic amenities to their host communities.

He commended all heads of the decentralized agencies within the municipality for their support, commitment and good working relationship with AAI.

Mr Musadaidzwa assured those living within its operational area that AAI would work closely with them and the Tarkwa Nsueam Assembly.

Professor Newton Amegbey, the board chair for the AAI trust fund, in a speech read on his behalf, said many projects have been executed from the trust fund since its inception in 2012.

He said in 2013-2014 they constructed two bedroom teacher's quarters, an Early Childhood Development Center and provided teaching and learning materials to New Techiman Community.

He said they also constructed two units of 16 seater aqua-privy toilet facilities for both Domeabra and Nkwantakrom Communities at a cost of GH¢ 311,537.

In the 2014/2015 project cycle, he said the AngloGold AAI community trust fund completed the construction of a JHS classroom block and washroom for Abompuniso Community, constructed washroom and kitchen for the Early Childhood Development Centre at New Techiman, a 16 seater aqua-privy toilet at Pepesa and three toilet facilities were also rehabilitated for Teberebie Community at a total cost of GH¢ 435,00.

He said the Community Trust Fund has so far contributed GH¢ 1,750,672.00 to various development projects in the host communities.

The board chairman expressed gratitude to the former Member of Parliament for Tarkwa Nsuaem, Mrs Gifty Eugenia Kusi, for providing a set of dual desk for Adieyie JHS.

Prof. Amegbey urged the beneficiary communities and their traditional rulers to ensure that the facilities they have provided would be properly maintained and used for the intended purpose.

In a speech read on behalf of the Western Regional Minister, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, said the completion of a JHS block by the AAI was in line with the achievement of the government's goal of making available and accessible basic education to Adieyie community.

He explained that the finance minister in his budget statement to Parliament said over the medium term, government aims to shift the structure and content of the country's educational system away from merely passing examinations to building character, nurturing values and raising literate and confident citizens.

GNA