Derick Romeo, Communications and External Relations Manager, Newmont Akyem Mines
Management of Newmont Akyem Mines has stated that the company is addressing the unemployment situation in its host communities by entering into other areas, in addition to its core area of mining. The company says it is going into in agriculture, entrepreneurship development, among others.
According to the mining company, tough it has fulfilled its contract of employing at least 35 per cent of its workforce from host communities, it is still concerned with the wide unemployment gap in the area, hence the new initiative.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Statesman on the sidelines of an end-of-year media engagement held in Koforidua last Friday, Derick Romeo, Communications and External Relations Manager of Newmont, mentioned that the company and its stakeholders had identified other alternatives to create jobs.
He noted that, per their assessment, they found that the oil palm value chain alone can create approximately 3,750 sustainable jobs and a net added value of USD 3,985,992 due to its broader impact on the local economy.
Exceeded target
Mr Romeo assured the host communities of the company’s readiness to have their interest at heart at all times.
“We had an agreement with our host communities to employ about 35 per cent of the locals, which we did. And, going forward, we set a target for ourselves to employ about 50 per cent of the locals in 10 years. As we are speaking, we have exceeded that mark, and we are not even halfway through the 10 years we planned.
“… when you look at our employment status as at November 30, we have 385 locals, representing 51 per cent as regular workers; 369 nationals, representing 49 per cent; and just four expatriates, representing one per cent. With our contractors, we have 710 locals, representing 51 per cent; 654 nationals, representing 47 per cent; and 29 expatriates, representing two per cent,” he explained.
About The Author
