Ghacem pays compensation to farmers

Story: A. Kofoya-Tetteh, Koforidua
March 25, 2008

GHACEM, a cement-producing company which is currently mining limestone at Odugblase, a farming village along the borders of the Manya Krobo and the Yilo Krobo districts of the Eastern Region, has paid GH¢70,078 as compensation to 60 farmers in the area whose crops have been destroyed as a result of the company's operations.
In addition, the company has made available 3,800 bags of cement, valued at GH¢30,400, for the maintenance of houses, schools, churches, health facilities and other social infrastructure in the area.
Other social amenities that the company has provided for the affected communities are a 10-seater modern place of convenience, valued at GH¢8,039, and a GH¢16,000 borehole.
The Strategy and Corporate Affairs Director of GHACEM, Dr George Dawson-Ahmoah, who gave out the cheque for crop compensation in Koforidua, said in all the company had spent GH¢124,517 to improve social services within the Odugblase area.
Dr Dawson-Ahmoah stated that the Odugblase area accounted for 20 per cent of the raw materials for cement production in Ghana and that the company would continue to honour its social responsibility for the betterment of the people in its operational area.
He assured the people that the company would always be in touch with the communities to know their problems for redress.
He expressed GHACEM's appreciation to the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Afram Asiedu, his deputy, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, Messrs David Sackitey Asare and Joseph Adu Tawiah, the district chief executives for Manya and Yilo Krobo, respectively, as well as the affected farmers, for their understanding and co-operation.
A spokesman for the farmers, Nene Tetteh Agblezee III, who thanked GHACEM for paying compensation for crops destroyed, said owing to the ownership dispute over the area between Manya and Yilo Krobo, the farmers could not be paid royalties and called for an early solution to the impasse to enable them to have their royalties paid.
Mr Asare was hopeful that the impasse over ownership of the area would soon be resolved and appealed to GHACEM to make available cement for the rehabilitation of other schools in the area.