Newmont Holds Workshop

Newmont Ghana Limited has organized a two-day capacity building workshop for the media on mining.

The workshop brought together media practitioners within the Eastern Region and was among many other things aimed at equipping journalists and other media practitioners with adequate understanding of the legal, social and other attributes of mining.

The two-day event was organized under the theme �Working towards an effective reportage on mining industry within the context of best mining practices and the minerals and mining Act 2006.�

It sought to clear misconceptions on mining industry and also highlighted on the legal framework within which the mining companies in the country operates as well as the constraints some sections of the law pose in the implementation of some provisions in the 1992 Constitution, and need to have a review.

Mr. Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo, General Manager of Graphic Communication Group charged the media to be circumspect with their reportage especially on mining. He entreated participants at the forum to at all times seek expert knowledge on any issue being reported as a guide to ensure objective and accurate reportage.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) of Brim North, Hon. Mavis Frempong, called for strong partnership among the major stakeholders of the country to promote economic development.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Brim North DCE observed that �no single government can promote development without partners� and laid reference to Goal 8 of the Millennium Development Goals which addresses the issue of a global partnership for development.

She said that the Brim North District Assembly considers Newmont as a corporate partner who would contribute effectively to the District in terms of creation of jobs and in other areas of socio-economic development.

Hon. Mavis Frempong was of the opinion that without strategic communication there would always be problems for which reason she entreated the media to partner the Brim North District Assembly and Newmont to provide strategic communication for the common good of the people in the District.

Mr. Benjamin Ayi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Minerals Commission acknowledged the importance of all stakeholders� to work together to ensure that any resource of the country is committed to benefit the state.

�All resources are to promote the sustainable development of our country and outside the relevant partnership among the stakeholders would not achieve that�, he said. He underscored the importance of the role the media to strategically communicate on issues of mining to ensure the achievement of sustainable development.

The External Communications Manager of Newmont Akyem Project, Marfo Oduro Kwarteng hinted that the training event forms part of the Company�s initiatives to create a better public understanding of the activites of the Company.

Source: Kizito CUDJOE, Koforidua/B&FT