VRA, Duker, Mantrac donate to Apeate Support Fund

The Apeate Support Fund Committee has received donations from the Volta River Authority (VRA), Mantrac Ghana Limited and the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, responsible for Mines, George Mireku Duker.

The representatives from the VRA presented a cheque for GHC200,000 to the Fund as their contribution towards the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Apeate community.

The Board Chairman of VRA, Tutu Agyare, while presenting the donation, said their decision to contribute was not only for the short term of rebuilding the Apeate Community but a long term commitment of investment to ensure that that community gets back on its feet.

“VRA is one of the few institutions in the country which has a lot of experience in resettlement with a history of rich experience in resettling former residents around the VRA Akosombo Dam Project, so the extent to which the Committee requires the leverage of our experience, we can also offer that as well,” he said.

He therefore requested that the committee keeps the Authority in the know of other activities leading to the reconstruction of the community, while pledging their unwavering support to the team.

The Chief Executive Officer of VRA, Emmanuel Antwi Darkwa, reiterated the organisation’s willingness to offer assistance anytime needed in addition to the financial contribution made.

Appreciation

Addressing the team from VRA, the Chairman of the Apeate Support Fund Committee, Rev. Dr. Joyce Rosalind Aryee, expressed her appreciation on behalf of the Committee.

“I’m glad that the Chairman mentioned that you would be willing to support us with all the knowledge that you have, not only about resettlement but also about being eco-friendly and that’s what the President has instructed. VRA, we are so grateful for your generosity,” she said.

She re-echoed the President’s plans to make Apeate an eco-friendly community, and hinted that her team would soon brief the media on the committee’s recent activities so far.

Taking his turn, a member of the Apeate Support Fund Committee and CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr. Sulemanu Koney, expressed the hope that beyond their contribution, the VRA would partner the government through the Apeate Reconstruction Implementation Committee as the “energizer” of the nation to construct a sustainable community, which will become “the Mecca of Mining Community Development.”

Meanwhile, Mr George Mireku Duker and Mantrac Ghana Limited donated cheques for GHC5, 000 and GHC32, 500, respectively, in support of the reconstruction efforts.