Asanko Gold Ghana and the Amansie South District Assembly have entered into a public-private partnership to reshape and improve critical community roads within the catchment communities of the mine.
In alignment with the government’s District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), the partnership aims to deliver lasting, impactful road improvements that will uplift the quality of life for thousands of residents across the district.
Under the partnership, Asanko Gold will leverage its resources to complement the efforts of the Assembly under the DRIP to improve road access in host communities through regular maintenance and reshaping.
The company will supply regular diesel fuel to support the operations of the Assembly’s road maintenance machinery, in addition to providing logistical support where feasible, including transportation of materials and community mobilization efforts.
“We believe good roads help drive development, hence our commitment to invest in this cause,” said Dr. Daniel Twumasi, Environment and Sustainability Manager at Asanko Gold Ghana.
“We acknowledge with deep concern the deteriorated condition of our community roads. It is therefore a privilege to join hands with the government DRIP program through partnership with the District Assembly. Asanko remains committed to being a responsible corporate partner in building the resilience of the communities we operate in,” said Dr. Twumasi.
The Amansie South District is home to a number of rural communities whose socio-economic development is hampered by poor road infrastructure. Most of the feeder and community roads are unpaved, poorly maintained, and become impassable during the rainy season, limiting access to essential services such as health care, education, and markets.
Strengthening the rural infrastructure development will therefore promote sustainable corporate social responsibility initiatives with measurable community impact.
District Chief Executive, Benjamin Marfo, noted the partnership represents a significant opportunity to leverage private sector support to enhance public infrastructure.
Chief of Nkran, Nana Danso Poku, who is also the Manso Nkwanta Paramount Chief’s Nkosuhene, commended the Asanko Gold and the local assembly for the initiative.
“We appreciate the developmental projects of Asanko Gold in our communities. The company has already been committing to road improvements and this partnership with the Assembly will go a long way to drive development in the area. I also commend the DCE for the forward thinking,” he said.
A Joint Road Reshaping Committee has been established to oversee the planning, coordination, and monitoring of the partnership.
The pilot project shall remain in force for an initial period of three months from the date of execution.
Source: Emmanuel Bright Quaicoe