Vice President and General Manager of Asante Gold Corporation George Nutor has assured host communities of the mine – after the recent acquisition of Chirano Gold Mines – of their readiness to contribute in the socio-economic development of catchment areas.
Addressing host community members, traditional authorities and other dignitaries at the handing-over of some thirteen projects valued at GH₵615,000, he noted the takeover will not adversely impact corporate responsibility programmes of the mine.
“It is an important milestone, and it is my fervent hope that our catchment communities will see more development projects through the Foundation in the coming years,” he said.
The newly-commissioned projects were undertaken by the Chirano Sefwiman Foundation, established to promote development in the catchment communities. This is to improve the socio-economic and living standards of residents in the catchment communities.
The Foundation was set up with US$2million seed money realised from US$1 per ounce of gold produced by Chirano Gold mines. This is in addition to the annual budgetary allocation to the Community Relations Department for community development, according to Mr. Nutor.
“In just about two years, the Chirano Sefwiman Foundations has provided full scholarships at the tertiary level to 60 students from the 20 catchment communities of Chirano Gold Mines at a cost of GH₵248,000.
These students will have their tuition, accommodation and stipend provided by the Chirano Sefwiman Scholarship Foundation throughout their studies, he added.
In addition to this the Foundation has also donated 13 projects to catchment communities. The communities now have access to potable water from mechanised boreholes and various social amenities.
“These projects were at the request of the beneficiary communities,” he said, adding that “the Chirano Sefwiman Foundation is living up to its mandate of providing for community needs.”
The communities provided with boreholes are Ntrentrenso, Futa, Appiakrom, Kwanikrom, Surano, Anglo, Nsuonsua and Subri.
At Paboase, all chalkboards in the Primary and JHS blocks have been replaced with marker boards, while Lawerkrom has been given funeral/durbar grounds.
Ahwiaa and Akaaso requested the provision of large Refuse Skip bins, and excavation and fencing of their landfill it was indicated.
