Kenyasi (B/A), Nov. 17, GNA - Mr. Ignatuis Baffour-Awuah, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, has appealed to traditional rulers, assembly members and the youth of the Asutifi District to use established mechanisms to resolve conflicts with Newmont Ghana Gold operating at Kenyasi.

He said using dialogue would be better than resorting to the use of bravado and unacceptable means that might jeopardize the smooth operation of the company's Ahafo project.

He cautioned that the project was dear to the government since it fitted well into the Ghana Growth Poverty Strategy that is the blue print for poverty reduction and accelerated development of the country. Mr Baffour-Awuah made the appeal at the opening of a partnership fair and exhibition of Newmont to showcase the role of stakeholders who had contributed to all activities of the company at its plant site at Kenyasi.

"We shall therefore not look on unconcerned while some few people take the country to ransom", he said.

Mr Baffour-Awuah expressed the hope that the company would religiously implement its social development programmes to continue to justify the social license it was seeking from the communities to be affected by its operations. He said the operations of the c ompany in the region had brought new opportunities for the people and expressed optimism that its relationship would be socially, culturally and economically beneficial to the people of the country and the United States.

Mr Baffour-Awuah said the project, even in its infant staged, and had brought some employment to the youth, both skilled and unskilled, boost economic activities in the district and the region. He said the company, together with the chiefs and people of the area, the district assembly and the Regional Coordinating Council, had put in place programmes to mitigate the negative effects of its activities in the communities within its operational areas. He said infrastructure like schools, alternative livelihood programmes and skill training as well as development programmes for the youth had all been put in place.

"It is my expectation that the people in the area will reciprocate these friendly gestures by actively supporting the project to succeed."

"The suspicions, wrangling and acrimonies that characterized the project initially should now give way to mutual trust, cooperation, confidence building and continuous consultation between the project owners, the affected communities and the government to resolve naughty points that may arise from time to time", Mr. Baffour-Awuah said. He expressed concern about the situation where the activities of the company would degrade the environment to the extent of depriving the communities of their means of livelihood and other economic activities and brings health hazards to the people.

"Such wanton destruction of the environment by some mining companies has led to civil strife and the disruption of their operations in some parts of the country".

Mr. Jay Bastian, General Manager, Operations of the company, said it took more than 3,000 people to build the Ahafo project two years ago and that the company now employs 2,300 people. He said the company would continue to explore for mineral wealth in the region.

"I am hopeful that we can identify new ore reserves that will allow us to grow, expand and extend our mine life". 17 Nov 06