Host communities of Asanko Gold Ghana in the Amansie West and Atwima Nwabiagya South districts of the Ashanti Region have received a lump sum amount of over $385,000 to boost development in those areas.
The gesture stems out of an accumulated amount of an agreed $2 per every ounce of gold produced by the mine since 2018.
Twelve communities will so far be benefitting from the fund to augment government’s developmental agenda for the locals within the mining enclave.
Esaase, Koben, Mpatuam, Tetrem, Manhyia, Bonteso, Aboabo, Tetekaso, Gyeninso, Essuowin, Amankyea and Akataniase are the beneficiary communities who will be sharing the aforementioned amount in its Cedis equivalence – GH₵2,209,442.56.
Per the choice of the locals in consultation of board of trustees for the fund and other relevant stakeholders, communities may spend their share of the fund for specific projects to foster development in the mine’s catchment areas.
During the swearing-in of the board of trustees for the fund, General Manager for Asanko Gold Ghana Eben Swanepoel explained that the move was envisaged by management of Asanko as an effective mechanism and the sure way to create lasting and positive contributions towards sustainable development initiatives in the catchment communities.
“I therefore wish to emphasize that in the relatively short period of nearly half a decade that we have had the privilege of operating as the only major industry in the area, together with you, we have gradually come to this high point in the evolution of a long-lasting and a comprehensive strategy for the promotion of our policy of Corporate Social Responsibility,” he said.
Chairman for the Board of Trustees Dr. Richard Amankwah Kuffour told 3news.com during the swearing-in of the 5-member board as trustees that “although we have come a long way amidst several challenges in setting up the Asanko Amansie West Atwima Nwabiagya Social Responsibility Forum (AWAN SRF), we the trustees will ensure every dime of the fund will be utilized to ensure transparency, equity and value for money”.
By Nana Asenso Mensah|3news.com|Ghana
