Newmont Golden Ridge Limited (Akyem Project) has reiterated its commitment to dialogue with community members regarding employment opportunities.

“Through open dialogue and clear demonstration of goodwill, the communities in Akyem and the company continue to sustain existing cordial relationships,” Mr Oduro-Kwarteng Marfo, the External Relations Manager, Newmont Golden Ridge Limited, told the GNA in an interview.

He said to address the communities’ claim of limited employment opportunities, management, the External Affairs and Human Resource team of the Akyem Project continued to hold community meetings in the surrounding host communities, including the various concerned youth groups and the District Security Council (DISEC) to explain the Project’s current employment needs, processes and statistics.

“While we are much aware that we cannot employ everyone who wants a job with us, we remain committed to skills development and empowerment for all our host communities,” he said.

Mr Oduro-Kwarteng said though the Akyem Project had already delivered a number of economic benefits to the local communities, the company was always looking for ways to enhance the project’s ability to serve as a catalyst for more economic and social development.

He said the company had instituted a four-year Apprenticeship and other Heavy Truck Operating Training programmes meant to provide local youth with the relevant skills tailored to the project’s operational needs.

“Over 110 young men and women from our host communities have benefited from these laudable initiatives”.

Mr Oduro-Kwarteng said the company had also put in place policies and agreements to ensure that all “our unskilled labour sources come from the communities in the project area”.

He said the Akyem Project would continue to maximize opportunities for its community youth in job areas requiring semi and skilled job requirements.

“The company has also facilitated the participation of the local youth in local and international capacity building initiatives”.

Mr Oduro-Kwarteng said the company would continue with its social responsibility programmes aimed at creating shared value for its host communities and continue to dialogue with all stakeholders on all issues of mutual concern.