Barimah Kyereko Ampem, chief of Ntotroso, in the Asutifi district of the Brong Ahafo Region, has commended the people in the community, for ensuring peaceful co-existence between it and the Newmont Mining Company Limited since it started operations in the area.

Speaking to SpaceFM at Ntotroso, Barimah Kyereko observed that the slow pace of payment of compensation to affected persons as a result of the mining works, initially became a major challenge to the community because they had to suffer to make earns meet.

He expressed gratitude to the committee that was set up to look into the problem as to why payment of compensations was delayed as well as ensure that those compensations are fast tracked to avoid further delay. ?I thank God that the problem has been rectified with payment being done at the right time this time round?, Nana Kyereko told Space News.

Commenting on why the community had to content with the small size of buildings put up by the company to the community, he said the initial buildings put up were unaccomodative but after consultation with the management of the company, the sizes were extended to conform to government of Ghana building standards.

He said those buildings at Ntotroso are the right replica of buildings in most of the mining sites in the country such as Derma and Tarkwa. He stated that, the company, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Nananom took a trip to Tarkwa and Derma to inspect buildings there for the company to do the same at Ntotroso.

He was particularly happy about the company for not reneging on its promises in terms of its social responsibilities to the community. ?Newmont has never defaulted when it comes to social responsibilities,? Nana pointed out.

Nana observed that to ensure enough social amenities for the community, a committee has been set up, comprising the Regional minister, some DCE?s and Nananom in the area to submit to the company what the community will need any time the company intends to help the community.

So far the company has assisted the community in the areas of education, water, toilet facilities to improve upon the living conditions of the people, while a greater number of the youth in the area will be employed to work with the company.