Story by Yaaba Yamikeh, Bompieso
Nana Atta Brempong II, chief of Bompieso in the Prestea-Huni valley Municipality of Western Region, is appealing to the government to further extend the one-year mining lease recently granted Gold Fields Damang Mines to enable the mining company to impact more lives in host communities.
In his view, Gold Fields Damang Mines is a blessing to the host communities and the communities will continue smiling if the company’s mining lease is further extended.
The chief is therefore appealing to the government to sit down with the management of the company to resolve any issue which might have prompted the decision by the Minerals Commission to stop the company from operating.
The Minerals Commission in April this year decided not to review Gold Fields Damang Mines’ lease, a decision which nearly paved way for the government to officially take control of the Mine, with over 1,400 workers estimated to possibly lose their jobs.
The company was, however, given one year to continue operating after a series of meetings and negotiations with the government.
3-unit classroom
Speaking at a handing over ceremony of 3-unit classroom block to authorities of his community’s M.A basic school by Gold Fields Ghana Foundation on Thursday, Nana Atta Brempong II said he was not privy to developments which resulted in Minerals Commission’s decision against review of the Damang Mines lease.
“I am not privy to the nitty-gratis of the issues which influenced the Minerals Commission’s decision against review of Damang Mines’ lease and subsequent moves by government to officially take over. I however believe strongly that whatever went wrong can be rectified or resolved to enable the company to continue operating and impacting lives in the host communities,” he said.
Nana Atta Brempong reiterated that Gold Fields Damang Mines is the best thing that ever happened to the people, citing reconstruction of the Bogoso junction – Damang road which has opened the area to economic and social activities.
He also mentioned other developmental projects, scholarships and employable skills offered by many youths by the Foundation to better their lives as part of the reasons for the government to reconsider its decision.
The Bompieso chief said he had no doubt in his mind that Gold Fields Ghana Foundation mandated by the mother company to execute Corporate Social Responsibility projects in host communities, will do more if the one-year lease to Damang Mines is extended and stressed the need for the government to positively respond to his appeal.
DCE’s testimony
The Prestea-Huni valley Municipal Chief Executive, Dr. Matthew Kofi Ayi, shared similar sentiment by indicating that although there are many mining companies operating in the municipality, Gold Fields Damang Mines stands tall in terms of Corporate Social Responsibilities.
He said the Municipal assembly highly appreciates the goods work by the company and will always collaborate with it in impacting more lives.
The Relieving Operations Manager of the Damang Mines, Mr. Frank Denkyi, disclosed that the 3-unit classroom block for Bompieso M.A basic school was constructed at a cost of 673, 000 cedis.
He further disclosed that the new classroom block with a staff common room, headteacher’s office, ten teachers’ table, 150 desks and five cupboards, was built by a local construction firm called ‘Boison constructions Limited.’
He said it will help decongest the existing classrooms and further enhance teaching and learning at the school.
Mr. Denkyi described the facility as Gold Fields Ghana Foundation’s ‘gift’ to the school for outstanding academic performance.
No-more double stream
The headteacher, Mr. Joseph Mensah, noted that the newly constructed 3-unit classroom block will put an end to double stream system in the school with 686 enrollment and commended Gold Fields Ghana Foundation for coming to their aid.
He, however, bemoaned absence of a single toilet facility at the school and appealed to the Foundation described as ‘problem solver’, to construct one for them.
The headteacher stressed that construction of toilet facilities at the school will prevent the children, particularly the Boys, from attending to nature’s call-in surrounding bushes.
Fortunately, an employee at the Damang Mines, called Mr. Clement Yamoah, pledged to construct single-handedly an 8-seater Water Closet toilet facility with borehole for the school.
Teachers at Bompieso MA basic school emerged the overall best winners at the municipality’ s maiden Teachers’ Awards ceremony in 2018 and a subsequent one in 2020. The school also emerged the best overall in a 2023 quiz competition.
