Sunyani, May 13, GNA - A Political Counselor at the Embassy of the United States of America (USA) in Accra, Mr. Brian W. Shukan, on Wednesday said the US would offer assistance to augment and promote any developmental initiative in the Brong-Ahafo Region.

He said the US was looking for leads taken by the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), Chiefs and community leaders in the region to initiate any project geared towards making life better for the populace. Mr. Shukan, First Secretary and Chief of Political Section at the Embassy who was speaking during a courtesy call on Mr. Kwadwo Nyameky-Marfo, the Regional Minister, in Sunyani. He cited women empowerment, especially those in the Moslem communities among others, as an essential area for assistance to enable them to overcome some social and economic challenges in the society. The Counsellor asked about the operations of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) Ahafo Mines and the company's relationship with the communities in its operational area.

He was therefore satisfied with the brief by Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo that NGGL had been operating under peaceful atmosphere whilst fulfilling its social responsibility to the towns and villages in the catchment area of its operation.

Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo said that the RCC in collaboration with the chiefs, municipal and district assemblies were making frantic efforts to ensure speedy progress of the region. The Regional Minister disclosed issues like chieftaincy disputes that had sometimes been the causes of escalated violence in some communities in other regions were being solved amicably through appropriate channels of redress. 13 May 10