Regional News of Monday, 23 April 2012

Source: GNA

Newmont provides school block for basic school

Newmont Ahafo Mine at the weekend, handed over a school block it constructed at the cost of GH¢84, 330.00 to Kodiwohia Basic School, at OLA resettlement at Kenyasi Number two in the Asutifi District of the Brong-Ahafo region.

Attached to the facility is a library furnished with a variety of reading books, an office and a two-unit semi-detached teachers’ quarters also built at the cost GH¢56,258.00.

A statement signed by Mr. Kwame Agbeko Azumah, Communications Manager of the Mine, copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani on Monday, said the gesture formed part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.

Mr. Alexander Amoah, District Coordinating Director, commended Newmont for its contribution to the development of education, and called on other mining companies to emulate Newmont .

He said the establishment of the Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation Fund, to implement development projects in the Ahafo area was a testimony of the company’s preparedness to improve the living conditions of the people.

Newmont commits one dollar per ounce of gold produced and one percent of its annual net profit into the fund.

Mr. Joseph Badu, District Director of Education, said government alone could not shoulder the responsibility to improve education, and called on stakeholders to contribute to the sector.

He appealed to Newmont to consider constructing additional classroom blocks to enable the school to contain the ever-increasing pupil population.

Kojo Bedu-Addo, External Affairs Manager of the company, appealed to the district assembly and the education directorate to take proper care of the facilities.**