Mining giant, Newmont, has handed over a GH¢6.2 million Military Forward Operating Base (FOB) to the chiefs and people of Sankore in the Asunafo South district of Ahafo region.
The 80 officer’s accommodation capacity base is to facilitate faster military response time during crises and provide robust security presence in the enclave.
Completed within four months period by local contractors within the region, the base has conference halls, offices, kitchen and canteen, magasine, parade grounds, armoury, and security check point, together other key installations.
The Deputy Chief Staff Officer (DCSO) in-charge of Training, Peacekeeping, Communication and International Operations, Army Headquarters, Brigadier – General K. D. Hagan, said the Force will deploy about 800 battalion to Ahafo in addition to the existing 80 officers.
He noted that as part of the deployment concept of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for Ahafo, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) has agreed to establish a Brigade headquarters at Goaso, with its affiliate sub-units dotted across the region.
The General Manager (GM), Newmont Gold Ahafo mines, Alex Kofi Annin, indicated that military presence in the region will stimulate local economic development, and provide robust security together with its associated peace and stability.
The GM indicated that aside the immediate security improvements, the project created numerous direct and indirect jobs throughout its construction, stimulated local businesses, and act as a strong deterrent against unlawful activities.
The Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr George Yaw Boakye, commended Newmont Gold for the completion and handing over of numerous infrastructure and non – infrastructure projects to the host communities to create wealth and improve lives in the region.
He stated that the establishment of military bases in the region, especially Sankore enclave was timely to complement the effort of other security agencies to ensure lasting peace and security before, during and after 2024 elections.
The Regional Minister warned actors of politically sponsored violence in the region who unleash wounds to innocent residents, destroy properties, cause untimely deaths of people and put the name of the region into disrepute to stop for their own good.
Mr Boakye added that during the allocation of regional offices and key facilities after the creation of the Ahafo region, he was told that his hometown (Sankore) is noted for violence so his community deserve military forward operating camp.
The Paramount Chief of Sankore Traditional Council (STC), Ogyedom Katakyie Appiah kubi Paabo IV, noted that he and his people had hived a sigh of relief upon the completion of the military base, saying that uninterrupted peace and stability is restored.
The chief implored officers of the GAF deployed to the region, especially Sankore to avoid befriending residents of the community, chiefs, politicians and religious leaders in order to guard against bias and favouritism in the discharge of their duty.
Ogyedom Appiah Kubi commended the contractor for erecting quality and long lasting infrastructure to ensure value for huge financial investment by Newmont, noting that together we will make Ahafo a beacon of peace.
He further urged the Ahafo Regional Security Committee (REGSEC) and other stakeholders to ensure absolute peace and harmony before, during and after the upcoming December polls, adding that, “without a stable environment, we are all labouring in vain.”
FROM EMMANUEL ADU GYAMFI, SANKORE
