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Gold Fields Ghana Limited funds new projects
Brahabobom (W/R), April 3, Ghanadot/GNA -
Gold Fields Ghana Limited (GFGL) has inaugurated a number of
projects totalling 467,000 US dollars at a ceremony at
Brahabebom near Tarkwa.
The projects which form the first phase of the 2008
financial year infrastructural projects of GFGL, included
construction of a three classroom block and two wells fixed
with pumps at Brahabebom, a Junior High school block at
Huniso, one unit transfer quarters for medical personnel at
Tarkwa Government Hospital, and rehabilitation of two
dormitories of Ghana Secondary Technical School in Takoradi.
Mr. Anthony Evans Amoah, Western Regional Minister said
companies may have their licenses from the State, but the
companies could also enjoy a harmonious working relationship
based on tactfulness, diplomacy and trust.
Mr Amoah expressed his gratitude to GFGL on behalf of the
people of the Western Region for the construction of two WC
and KVIP, a hand dug well at the Essipon Car Park for the
“Ghana 2008” and the rehabilitation of two dormitories at
Ghana Secondary Technical School, Takoradi.
He said Ghana had many natural resources, with a greater
majority in the Western Region, adding that mining of these
resources must be to the benefit of individuals and the
community at large.
Mr. Amoah said though the people may not have the technology
or capital to explore those resources to the fullest, they
could engage in allied services so as to make them benefit
from these resources.
He said the oil discovery offshore Cape Three Points could
be used as a turning point in the economic development of
the people if they engaged in banking, insurance, estate
development, haulage, commerce and hospitality among other
things.
The Regional Minister appealed to the chiefs and land owners
around the oil fields to be mindful of the type of investors
they dealt with especially when it concerned selling out
property.
He said the package of 2008 Project includes scholarships
for students in Senior High School, vocational, tertiary
institutions and apprenticeship and appealed to the
beneficiaries to take their studies seriously to justify the
confidence reposed in them by the company.
He said it was only through hard work that they would become
prominent citizens in their communities.
Mr. Ludwig Eybers, General Manager of GFGL, said since the
inception of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation Trust in 2002
the Tarkwa Gold Mine had so far spent over GH¢7.8 million or
US$ 8 million on development projects.
He said the Company was more interested in the impact that
the billions of cedis it invested had on the community
members and that it would undertake impact studies to assess
the impact of its project on the beneficiaries.
Mr Eybers said with the increasing gold price on the world
market and increasing production of the mine, contributions
to the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation had increased
significantly since they were based on profitability and
production.
He said his company, through the Foundation, was spending
about two million US Dollars this financial year on
community development, being the highest amount of money
spent on community development in any particular year since
the inception of the Foundation.
Mr Eybers said the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation Scholarship
Scheme, which was instituted in 2005/2006 academic year for
brilliant but needy students in the communities was being
sustained.
He said 129 students were currently benefiting from the
Scheme to help improve on their skills.
The General Manger said the University of Mines and
Technology had not been left out of the Mine’s assistance,
adding, the University had been given 168.000 US dollars to
help in the construction of a Geological Engineering
Laboratory.
He said a Bursary Award has also been set up to honour
students who performed creditably in five selected
departments of the University.
GNA
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