This practice, according to him, deprives communities hosting the oil companies of the expected development or benefits from the company’s presence in the area.

[contextly_sidebar id=”srNXZ8RuuqIWatRmmLIupI64b3p7ALmy”]Speaking at an annual general meeting to brief the Western Regional House of Chiefs on the operations of the oil companies, organized by the Petroleum Commission in Takoradi, Ogyeahoho Gyebi II, who is also the Chairman of GNPC Foundation, noted that some other mining companies left some examples in this respect that needs to be considered by the oil companies.

He explained that “in Bibiani for example, when Anglo Gold came, we insisted that they should open a basic school for the children of  their workers.”

“The idea was that they were going to provide enough resources for that basic school which was going to benefit staff children and those of the communities. We insisted and they did it. The effect is that, now we have basic schools in the area which are competing with schools set up by Anglo Gold. These schools are producing first class students for medicine, for engineering, for mathematics and others in our universities.”

“But unfortunately, in the Ahanta and Nzema Areas, you have your staff in Accra, and they are airlifted on daily basis. So how are our communities going to benefit from your operations,” Ogyeahoho queried.

He cited instances where some mining companies are already showing leadership in this regard when he referenced what pertains at Chirano Gold Mines in the Western Region.

He said, “in Chirano [Gold Mines], they put up buildings which are housing their wives and children. The workers know what is good for their children, and so they have the basic schools. Today, we are all enjoying the facilities there”.

He concluded that “It is our expectation that we give them land to put up residential accommodation for their staff. Once they get it, the local economy will be boosted because they will buy, which will in a way help to retain some of the revenues here.”

–

By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post W/Region chief chides oil firms for neglecting community development appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, even though the splitting could be emotional, the people in the northern part of the Western Region must also be given the opportunity to get what they want in terms of development.

[contextly_sidebar id=”uViIku1Lz9CpPTihkr9QBPK5lln0ziAm”]Speaking to Citi News after a consultative process at the Western Regional House of Chiefs in Sekondi by the nine-member Commission of Enquiry set up by the President to look into the proposals received for the creation of new regions, Awulae Amihere Kpanyili, who is also the Paramount Chief for the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area, maintained that he is yet to read theories suggesting that new regions do not facilitate development.

“The possibility is high. If not, what is the alternative to development or supporting the northern part of the Western Region? We do not have any better one. So until we have something different, we cannot condemn what we are doing.”

He continued that, “we need to be practical with ourselves. But of course, people will say the district assembly will be the one to carry out development. It is true, but perhaps a region will be a boost.”

The Upper East and West Regions in Ghana were split in the 1980s, but development in the two regions leaves much to be desired.

However, Awulae Kpanyili III believes that should not be a case for a halt in the process, but rather, it should encourage the Commission of Enquiry to do more to help avoid those challenges.

“We can make a case for the Northern part of Ghana. They are still in need, and we always talk about what they should get and all that. Yes it could be a case study, but it is upon us to even do more studies in that area…whilst things are ongoing on, we can still be checking to see what are the negative aspects, and if it outweighs the positive part, I think it will come [during the public hearings]. But right now just for us not to kill the spirit of the commission from doing it work…for now they should do carry on!”

–

By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Western North region will boost development – House of chiefs appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Nana Gyebi said it was an indictment for region endowed with huge resources to have a deficit in education, especially in relation with the number of  high schools.

[contextly_sidebar id=”whZvDMJjFLsZ8w6IiHUXwG04uc6Mf6WX”]Speaking at a celebration of the 5th Essikadu Kundum Festival at Essikadu, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, who is also the paramount chief of the Bibiani Anhwiaso Traditional Area bemoaned the limited number of Grade A schools in the Western Region.

He said that “in 2015, my son completed Junior High School which I had to get him a senior high school. After searching through Grade ‘A’ schools in Ghana, I discovered that there were only two of such schools in the Western Region. Upper West had 2, Upper East had 5, Eastern Region had 7, Ashanti Region had 8, Central Region had 8, Greater Accra had 8, Volta Region had 6 and Brong Ahafo also had 6”.

“It is the Western and Upper West Regions which are at the bottom of the table. In the western region, the two are the Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS) and the Archbishop Porter Girls Senior High School. This clearly shows that senior high schools education in the Western Region has taken a nosedive”.

Ogyeahoho Gyebi II, added that “we have to emphasize on Science, Mathematics, technology and technical education in the region, and also take particular interest in giving our daughters some special dispensation”.

He concluded that the GNPC Foundation has taken a decision to select some schools in the region to resource their science laboratories in the foundation’s attempt to giving back to the region that produces the oil in which GNPC is an active player”.

–

By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post W/R: We need more top high schools – Chief appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.