‘Ibrahim Mahama Has Done Better for Damang Than Newmont Has Done for Kenyasi’ — Abronye DC

The Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, has praised businessman Ibrahim Mahama for his contribution to development in Damang, claiming that his efforts have surpassed what mining company Newmont has achieved in Kenyasi over more than two decades.

Abronye made the comparison while assessing the contributions of private businesses to communities where they operate, arguing that Ibrahim Mahama’s development efforts in Damang deserve recognition when measured against the activities of established mining companies.

“If we’re to be truthful, Ibrahim Mahama has done better for Damang in terms of development than Newmont has done for Kenyasi in their twenty-two years of operation,” he stated.

His remarks place the spotlight on the role of businesses and investors in supporting development within communities, particularly in areas where mining activities generate significant economic activity and create expectations of improved local infrastructure and social amenities.

Damang, in the Western Region, is associated with gold mining, while Kenyasi in the Ahafo Region is home to major mining operations involving Newmont, one of the prominent companies in Ghana’s gold-mining industry.

Mining companies are often expected to contribute to the development of host communities through employment opportunities, local procurement, infrastructure projects and social investment programmes, alongside their core commercial activities.

Such contributions can help improve access to essential services and create opportunities for residents, although the scale and impact of development initiatives can vary depending on the nature of the projects undertaken and the needs of each community.

Abronye’s statement suggests that, in his assessment, Ibrahim Mahama’s contribution to Damang has been more significant than the development benefits delivered by Newmont in Kenyasi over its twenty-two years of operation.

The comparison also raises broader questions about how the contributions of private investors and mining companies should be assessed, including the quality of infrastructure provided, the number of people benefiting from projects and the long-term impact on local livelihoods.

For communities hosting mining operations, development expectations often extend beyond employment and business opportunities to include improvements in roads, education, healthcare, sanitation and other essential facilities.

However, a comprehensive assessment of the two examples would require specific information about the projects completed, the resources invested and the number of residents who have benefited from the respective development initiatives.

Abronye’s comments have brought renewed focus to the importance of evaluating corporate and private-sector contributions based on their tangible impact on host communities, particularly where residents expect economic activity to translate into meaningful improvements in their living conditions.

Source: https://x.com/i/status/2113032781823684807

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