Bogoso (W/R), Nov. 4, GNA - Bogoso Gold Limited (BGL) has launched 200-million cedi poultry project as part of its Alternative Livelihood Programme (ALP) at Bogoso.

Seven communities would benefit from this pilot project. The communities are Prestea, Dumasi, Himan, Bogoso, Kojokrom, Bondaye and Mbease-Nsuta.

Launching it, Mr Bruce Higson-Smith, General Manager of BGL, said the mine could not employ a lot of people and there was the need to exploit other avenues that would serve as an alternative source of employment to the people.

He said he hoped that the cordial relationship between the mine and its catchment communities would continue to improve. Nana Richard Hagan, Community, Safety and Environment (CSE) Manager, BGL, said the Company had spent 400,000 dollars on development projects that had benefited about 300 local people to farm and also to set up their own income generating businesses. He said an estimated 425 hectares of oil palm have been cultivated. Nana Hagan said mining activity would come to an end and BGL was committed to leaving a legacy of an independent and sustainable economic base for future generations.

Mr Mustapha Ramadan, Chairman of Agriculture Sub-committee of Wassa West District Assembly, who spoke on behalf of the District Chief Executive, Mr Emmanuel Ayensu, appealed to BGL to organise in-service training for the beneficiaries to enable them to handle the project properly.

Again, he said, BGL should expand its community assistance to meet the expansion programme of the Company. Mr Zakaria Issa, Senior ALP Officer said 2,650 day-old chicks were bought for the pilot project. He said Staff from Wassa West District Office of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) had trained two people to take care of the chicks.

Baba Salifu, Member of Prestea Urban Council, called on all civil society organisations, opinion leaders and chiefs to work in concert with the Urban Council to impress upon BGL to provide the town with amenities that would serve as indelible edifice in the area.