Tabakrom (W/R) Sept. 9, GNA - Samreboi-based Samartex Timber and Plywood Company Limited in the Western Region has donated a set of jerseys and footballs valued at five hundred Ghana cedis to Tabakrom, a farming community in the Nzema East Municipality. Mr Peter Damuah, Human Resource Manager who made the donation on behalf of the company, said Samartex, the leading wood processing and agro-forestry company in Ghana was committed to fostering mutually beneficial relationship with the communities it operates. He said the donation of the items, it is hoped would help whip up interest of the youth in football and also unearth talents at the grassroots, especially in the game of football.

Mr Damuah said the company also goes beyond its job requirement to assist improve the living conditions of the people through agro-forestry and alternative livelihood schemes such as beekeeping and snail rearing. He said from 2004 to date, the company has paid 197,165 Ghana Cedis representing five percent as stumpage fees for the development projects in communities in its operational areas.

Mr Damuah said that the company runs a three year fee-free apprenticeship training programme as well as a two year management training programme for young Polytechnic and University graduates towards the development of the human resource base of the people in the area.

He added that the company supports the Samartex School Complex with the provision books, computers, classrooms and teachers' accommodation to create the required opportunities and environment for the pupils to excel in their final examinations. Nana Bernard Sackey, Mberantsehene, (Youth Chief) on behalf of the Elders and people of the Tabakrom community expressed gratitude to the company and prayed that the relationship that had existed between the company and the community would be sustained. 09 Sept. 08