Huni Valley Assembly member rates Damang mine 9.5/10 under E&P

The Assembly Member for the Huni Valley Electoral Area, Lot Ayeh Kwaku, has rated the management of Damang Gold Mine by Engineers and Planners (E&P) 9.5 out of 10, citing improvements in infrastructure, local employment and environmental management.

He said the pace of development in communities around the mine within the first six months of the transition had exceeded his expectations, pointing to the commencement of capital-intensive projects as evidence of the company’s commitment to local development.

Mr Kwaku said the level of investment in the communities appeared to go beyond what they would ordinarily expect based on their share of the benefits from the mining operation.

“We trusted Damang Mines in the hands of Ibrahim Mahama’s company, and I can identify three things so far. First is development. Looking at the time frame of just six months, we are seeing advanced development and capital-intensive projects that he has started,” he said.

Speaking on a special edition of Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen in Tarkwa-Damang, he expressed optimism that sustained investment, coupled with cooperation among community members, could transform the area in the coming years.

Mr Kwaku said the communities should set clear development targets, suggesting that the catchment area could attain district status within five years and potentially become a regional capital within 10 years if the current pace of development continued.

He also welcomed what he described as significant improvements in employment opportunities for residents, although he said more needed to be done to meet the community’s expectations.

“Even though, as a community, we have targets in terms of employment, we are now seeing massive improvement in employment for the locals. We need to enrich ourselves more,” he said.

On environmental management, the Assembly Member said he had not received reports of water contamination or pollution since the new management took over the mine.

He added that the company appeared to be adhering to the required safety measures, urging residents to support its operations to sustain development in the area.

Mr Kwaku encouraged community members to work together with the company to maximise the benefits of mining and improve living conditions across the catchment communities.

READ ALSO:

Damang Gold Mine: 62% of regular staff drawn from host communities

Amoanda chief expresses satisfaction with Ibrahim Mahama’s management of Damang mine