Kenyasi No.1 youth stages demonstration against Newmont

The youth of Kenyasi No.1 in the Asutifi District on Thursday staged a demonstration against Newmont Gold Ghana Limited (NGGL) Ahafo Mine for non-provision of jobs for them.

The demonstrators said the company was not only denying them jobs but was also not fulfilling its social responsibility to the community.

They alleged that Newmont’s two main other operational areas, Kenyasi No. 2 and Ntotroso, had benefited in terms of employment opportunities and fulfilment of social responsibility programmes.

Led by Mr. Paul Wycliff Fordjuor, a native of Kenyasi No.1 but resident in the United States of America (USA) and representing the youth of the town in the Diaspora, the demonstrators clad in red and black attires with red head and arm bands, chanted war songs and besieged the Plant Site.

Some of the placards read “No job, no peace”, “Yankee go home”, “Newmont show respect”, “This is not a joke”, “No more apprenticeship examination”, “We need jobs”, “Don’t provoke our ancestors”, “our ancestors are not happy” and “There are equally good graduates here”.

Intervention by Mr. Eric Addae, the District Chief Executive for Asutifi and assisted by the police saved the situation.

Mr. Addae, who is also Chairman of the District Security Council (DISEC), promised to deliver their petition to the Regional Minister.

A statement titled “Newmont Ghana Committed to providing economic opportunities for its host communities” and made available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) by Mr. Agbeko Kwame Azumah, Communications Manager, highlighted programmes designed to increase youth employment in the Ahafo Mine.

It said as part of its commitment to open communication with stakeholders, Newmont in consultation with various community stakeholders through the Ahafo Social responsibility Forum (ASRF), “holds an agreement that informs Newmont Ghana’s local employment policy”.

It explained that under the terms of agreement, “all non-skilled labour is reserved for citizens from our local communities while those with the requisite skills are offered fair opportunities”.

The release reiterated Newmont Ghana’s commitment to act with integrity, trust and respect, consistent with their social responsibility values and policies even as the company remained committed to creating shared value for its host communities.

It gave the assurance of continuous dialogue with all stakeholders on all issues of mutual concern.**