The Vice President disclosed this when she inaugurated the Newmont Ahafo North Mine at Afrispakrom in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang indicated that opening of the Newmont Ahafo North Mine was an act of partnership and progress, saying, presently, Ghana was the largest gold producing country in Africa and the sixth in the world. She noted that for nearly three decades, Newmont footprint in the country remained evident in several positive ways and commended the company for supporting the government’s ‘Big Push’ road infrastructure agenda. 

The Vice President said the government was highly appreciative to the company for reshaping the 46-kilometer Sunyani-Atronie highway and expressed the hope that the company would do more to help improve the nation’s road networks. She said the investment into the Ahafo North Mine exceeded $1 billion, hoping that the mine would create more job opportunities for the locals, stimulate local economic growth and development, and transform the socio-economic livelihoods of the people. The Vice President said:

“The project was achieved through dialogue and compromise of the maturity of leaders” and commended the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for helping to maintain harmony among stakeholders. Mr Tom Palmer, the Chief Executive Officer of Newmont said the Ahafo North Mine represented significant financial investment in Ghana that would accordingly contribute to the progressive development of the nation’s economy, creating opportunities for businesses and suppliers too. He stressed Newmont’s commitment to responsible mining practices, protecting the environment as well as creating value and improving the socio-economic lives of the communities around the mine, prioritizing safety as well. 

Mr Emmanuel Kofi Armah-Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, noted that responsible mining played a critical role towards environmental sustainability. He expressed the hope that the mine would strictly adhere to responsible mining practices to consolidate the friendly relationship between Ghana and Newmont. 

He said mining remained a beacon of responsible stewardship that required the required collective support of all stakeholders.