Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) has cut the sod for the construction of the Samahu-Pepesa road in the Prestea Huni-Valley municipality.
The 14.9-kilometer road slated to be completed in two years would cost the Foundation over GH¢ 63 million, which covers consultancy, and is being executed by Classic Cristken Limited.
The road construction includes surface dressing, gutters, culverts, drainages, and multiple layers, for long-lasting results.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Abdel-Razak Yakubu, Executive Secretary of GFGF, explained that the road would serve five of their host communities, namely Samahu, Abekoase, Tebe, Huniso and Pepesa, which are all farming communities.
Mr. Yakubu said: “For more than 10 years Gold Fields has been doing spot improvement on the Samahu-Pepesa road. Anytime the communities request that we fix the road, we pick a certain portion, work on it, but it does not last as we expected. So, this time, we decided to do something more sustainable.
“We are looking at a quality that can take us at least a decade. With proper maintenance, the engagement we have embarked on with our road users, and the illegal mining activities ongoing along the road, if all these are checked, we could even go more than 10 years.”
The executive secretary pointed out that to ensure the road met the highest standards, Gold Fields had engaged the service of a consultant who was more experienced in that field to assist them.
He gave the assurance that as Gold Fields continues to operate in Ghana, they would go beyond what was demanded of them by regulation and invest more resources to help develop their host communities.
Ing. Emmanuel Arhin Quainoo, from Classic Cristken Limited, said the contractor has been working on site for a month, and almost eight kilometers of land has been cleared.
He said they would ensure that the project met the required quality standards, stays within budget, and is completed on time.
Ing. Sedjro Fofo, Urban Roads Engineer for Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality, on his part indicated that the assembly would closely monitor the project daily to ensure it’s completed on schedule.
Mr. Robert Wisdom Cudjoe, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Prestea Huni-Valley constituency, together with Mr. Matthew Kofi Aryeh, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) expressed gratitude to the GFGF for championing this project for its host communities.
They appealed to the Foundation to construct the Awudua Junction-Prestea Road to reduce travel time and enhance accessibility.
Nana Adarkwa Bediako III, Gyaasehene of Apinto Divisional Council, added: ” Farmers from these five communities will now get their products to the market more quickly.
“We all know fresh products will attract more customers, lead to higher sales, and minimize product waste.”
GNA
