Newmont is constructing a communication tower in Birim North

New Aberim, Nov 11, GNA - Newmont Ghana Limited, a US-based gold mining company, is building a 150,000-dollar communication tower at Adawusena, near New Abirim, to improve on telecommunication system in the Birim North District.

The tower, which is being constructed by the Scancom Company Limited, owners of Areeba cell phones, would enhance telephone reception and provide Internet service in the district. Mr Emmanuel Acquah Frimpong, the District Chief Executive, said this at a meeting with the chiefs and people of Adawusena and representatives of Newmont at New Abirim on Thursday.

The meeting was convened by Mr Frimpong to seek the chiefs and people's consent for the project following a recent demonstration against Newmont at New Abirem over crops compensation. He said the land for the tower had been properly acquired from its owners with adequate compensation paid for crops that would be destroyed during the construction.

Mr Frimpong said the tower would benefit the people in the district even after the mining company had left and appealed to the people in the area to provide security to workers of the construction company and materials being used to ensure that the project is completed on schedule.

He appealed to Newmont to allow the construction company to employ some of its unskilled staff from the community to offer employment to the people in the area.

Mr Mark Woode, a Mines Manager of Newmont, commended the district assembly and the community for offering them the land for the construction of the tower.

The Gyaasehene of the town, Nana Korankye Ababio, II, gave assurance that the chiefs and people in the community would co-operate to ensure early completion of the project.