Tarkwa (w/r), March. 21, GNA- Gold Fields Ghana Limited (GFGL), Tarkwa Mine has earmarked an amount of one point five million dollars ($ 1.5 million US) for community development programmes this year for the Tarkwa community.

The amount is the highest ever to be used by the company in any particular year in its catchment communities' improvement and development projects. Mr Ludwig Eybers, General Manager of GFGL said this at a Consultative Committee meeting made up of the Mine's catchment Area Communities and other stakeholders at Tarkwa.

Mr Eyebers said up to date, an amount of $6.6 million has been spent so far on community development and the community employment programmes as well as providing short term employment to 140 community members under the Mine's expansion programme. He said currently, the expansion of the Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) plant is ongoing and would go a long way to create more jobs for people in the area, adding that, his company would be spending over 200 million US dollars on exploration next year.

Mr Steve Yirenkyi, Community Affairs and Public Relations Manager of GFGL Tarkwa Mine, urged all stakeholders and interest groups in the communities to collaborate with them to help ensure good and quality livelihood and sustainable development for the communities. Mr Yirenkyi said his outfit aims at providing the needed assistance to enhance the socio-economics growth and development of stakeholder communities through various initiatives and intervention by the Mine. Various projects undertaken by GFGL under the phase 1 projects, which have been completed, included Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Education office, Hand-dug wells at some selected communities, a community centre at Samahuu and classroom blocks at Humiso, Awudua and Brahabebom.