Gold Fields Ghana has constructed and handed over a GH₵500,000 Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre to the students and people at Huni Valley in the Prestea-Huni Valley district of the Western Region.
The ICT centre, known as “Prof. John Evans Atta Mills ICT Centreâ€Â, is meant to bridge the digital divide and aid socio-economic development, which the late President vigorously pursued.
President John Mahama, in an address read for him at the handing-over of the ICT centre, called on mining companies and businesses in the country to present their corporate social responsibility strategies in ways that are consistent with government policy and responsive to the imperatives of time and local community’s aspirations.
According to him, government will continue to create and facilitate the enabling environment to attract and nurture growth in private investments and partnerships in supporting the goals of accelerated industrialisation and development.
“However, we cannot maximise the value of opportunities that will be created by the growth in private investment if the teaming youth of this country do not have the skills match,†he said.
He noted that providing the relevant and appropriate skills for the youth requires partnership between the state and private sector -- for mining companies, such partnership arrangements are best delivered at the local level through well-organised, properly designed and executed corporate social responsibility strategies.
“Good corporate citizens such as Gold Fields Ghana not only complement the efforts of government in development of the human capital, but also guarantee a peaceful environment for business to thrive,†he added.
He pointed out that government is aware of current challenges facing the mining sector – “We know you are also feeling the harsh effects of economic challenges the nation is going throughâ€Â.
He said government will continue to steer affairs of the country in the right direction – “we shall pursue policies that will give companies such as yours the needed confidence to remain here and continue investing in our economyâ€Â.
Mr. Alfred Baku, Executive Vice President and Head of West Africa, Gold Fields Ghana, said Information Technology has become an integral part of education and the youth cannot compete if they lack the requisite skills and knowledge in technology.
“Gold Fields Ghana knows this community well, and we are longstanding beneficiaries of the mineral and human resources it have to offer -- we appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the development of its people trough this centre,†he said.
He said the company has invested heavily in health, water and sanitation totalling over US$25million to improve the quality of life for people in the area where they operate.
He explained that for every ounce of gold produced, the company donates a dollar to the Gold Fields Foundation plus an additional 0.5 percent of pre-tax profit.
Consequently, he said, if production increases community investment increases as well --“Unfortunately, the falling gold price, rising cost of inputs and tight fiscal environment have negatively impacted our production volumes and threatened the mine’s life.
“We keenly look forward to improving economic and fiscal conditions, to enable us increase our production, reduce our cost, and increase our rewards to all stakeholders as well as government and/or communities,†he added.
By Juliet Dugbartey | B&FT Online | Ghana
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