The Forestry Commission has been a partner of Asante Gold Chirano Ltd (AGCL) since 2004. Due to this, several engagements have been in attempts to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the commencement of an offset project.
In this particular stakeholder engagement held at the FC Boardroom, the Chief Executive, Mr. John Allotey remarked that the FC is pleased Asante Gold Chirano Ltd is hoping to sign an MOU with FC, which will begin a project to offset the company’s environmental impact through afforestation and reforestation.
Mr. Allotey thanked the General Manager of Asante Gold Chirano Ltd, Mr. Stephen Asante – Yamoah for leading the team to a fruitful discussion and hoped that implementation will take place earnestly. He then advised that AGCL takes the opportunity to engage the communities in which they work, especially the youth in the reforestation process, to provide a form of livelihood for them and mitigate any future environmental impact.
The Chief Executive also called on the team to provide social amenities in the form of school buildings and scholarships to aid these communities.
Mr. Asante–Yamoah addressed the gathering, thanking the Chief Executive and expressing his pleasure for being the first gold mine in Ghana to be allowed to mine in forest reserves in the Western North Region. He associated this feat to the forward-thinking relationship with FC, especially in collaborating to assess areas of impact from their activities and putting the right measures in place to contribute to the development of humanity.
On the subject of social amenities, he mentioned that Asante Gold Chirano Ltd has sponsored 54 students, and provided vocational and technical training within the 20 communities in which they operate. He also stated that 55% of the over 2,000 staff employed by AGCL are from the Sehwi area. “We are looking to improve upon what we have done so far and institutions like FC is a great partner in this progressive endeavor”, he said, furthering that a document was in the offing to strengthen this relationship to make sure that the right impact is made on the country.
A question and answer session was held with the media and the day was climaxed with the optimism of singing the MOU in the near future.
