Goldfields Resettle Atuabo Residents

Goldfields Ghana Limited (GGL), a Tarkwa-based mining company on Monday handed over additional 103 housing units of various sizes, valued at 10.5 billion cedis built to resettle those affected by its operation.

Eighty-seven landlords of Old Atuabo, who had earlier refused to move because they did not accept an initial package, are the beneficiaries of the housing units located at area "A" of New Atuabo, near Tarkwa.

Mr Emmanuel Kwesi Ayensu, Wassa West District Chief Executive, Nana Kwaku Baah II, Chief of New Atuabo and Mr Jost Barenberg, General Manager of GGL signed the document on behalf of the Assembly, New Atuabo Community and GGL, in that order, to signify the formal handover. Mr Ayensu said the additional settlement posed an extra responsibility to the Assembly.

He, therefore, appealed to the mining company to continue to help the Assembly in the management of the settlement, especially in waste management.

The additional settlement at area "A" of New Atuabo has facilities including four public standpipes, three 10-seater public toilets, three refuse dumps, planned roads and electricity provided in every household.Mr Mathew Quayson, a resident, complained that one of the problems facing the residents was lack of constant flow of water.The Old Atuabo, settlement which was located on GGL's concession had to be destroyed to enable GGL undertake surface mining.