In 2014, the Asutifi North district of the Brong Ahafo Region experienced a fire outbreak which nearly caused havoc within the central business district of Kenyasi. The district did not have a dedicated fire station at the time and had to wait for hours to receive help from another district. The delay led to the destruction of several properties.
Following this development, Newmont Ghana’s Ahafo mine initiated discussions with the Asutifi North District Assembly and the Ghana National Fire Service, in 2015, to establish a mutual framework to enhance emergency preparedness in the district. The company, thus, resolved to construct a fire station to serve Asutifi and some other communities in the area.
The project, which cost about $100,000, has been completed and in July this year, the Ahafo mine handed it over to the Asutifi North District Assembly at a short ceremony in Kenyasi. Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the General Manager of the Ahafo Mine, Joep Coenen, commended the traditional leaders, the Ghana National Fire Service, and the District Assembly for playing their role in ensuring the completion of the project. He reiterated Newmont’s commitment to partner with development agencies to create shared values.
“The completion of this project on schedule and the provision of office furniture for the facility is a further demonstration of our responsibility to always deliver on our commitment,” said Joep Coenen.
The Asutifi North District Chief Executive, Eric Addae, expressed gratitude and commended Newmont for its continued commitment to partnering government in its development pursuit within the district.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional authorities, the queen mother of Kenyasi No.1, Nana Adutwumwaa, advised the firemen and the district assembly to regularly maintain the facility to serve its purpose for the current and future generations.
She commended Newmont for employing the services of local contractors to execute projects within host communities. The Deputy Regional Fire Service Commander, D.O.1 Paa Kwesi Adutwum, said plans were afoot to acquire a fire tender for the station and assured the district of their commitment to maintain the facility.
Present at the handing over ceremony were officials from the district assembly, officers from the regional and district Ghana Fire Service, traditional authorities, Newmont’s Executive Vice-President for Sustainability and External Relations, Dr Elaine Doward-King and Alwyn Pretorius, Regional Senior Vice-President, Newmont Africa.
Source: Newmont Ghana
