annexc - Newmont Mining Corporation

Annex C7 -- Socioeconomics Supplemental Information C7 - 8
New Abirem: New Abirem is the capital of the Birim North District and several
ministries maintain officers in the town, including the offices of the District Assembly, Town
& Country Planning, Information Services, National Mobilization Program, Electoral
Commission, Electricity Cooperative, Food & Agriculture, and Range Forestry. There is a
Ministry of Health clinic in New Abirem with 39 employees. Commerce in New Abirem
includes two markets providing various goods, drinking spots, and two Ghanaian rural
banks. There are three churches in New Abirem: Methodist, Presbyterian, and Roman
Catholic. Population for 2008 is projected to be almost 4,000 people, up from an estimated
3,245 people in 2000.
Mamanso: Mamanso is a small settlement south of New Abirem, which is projected to
have 2,663 people in 2008. There is a small health clinic and limited commercial activity in
the settlement. The majority of the residents are subsistence farmers engaged in the
cultivation of oil palm and cocoa. Excess food crops are sold at the New Abirem markets.
There is no community centre or entertainment in Mamanso. There are nine religious
facilities in Mamanso serving Christians, Catholics, and Muslims.
Old Abirem: Old Abirem is a small community south of Mananso at the southern edge of
the Study Area. The 2000 population was estimated at 1,400 people living in 330 houses
most of which are in poor condition. The Ghana Statistical Service projected a population
of 1,306 people for 2008. Most of the residents of Old Abirem are farmers, primarily
engaged in the production of oil palm with lesser emphasis on growing cocoa, vegetables,
maize, and plantain. There are two chemist shops in the settlement but residents must
travel to New Abirem for medical care. In addition to a few shops and drinking spots, there
are three cocoa buying companies operating in Old Abirem. There are religious facilities to
serve both Christians and Muslims.
Adausena: This settlement has been recorded as the first settlement established within
the Study Area. The National Census estimated that 1,162 persons lived in the settlement
in 2000 and projects an increase to 1,429 people in 2008. Inhabitants are predominantly
subsistence farmers; however, the settlement economy is dominated by the cultivation of
cash crops including oil palm, citrus, cocoa, plantain, and cassava. Excess food crops are
sold at either the New Abirem or Ntronang markets. Six Cocoa Purchasing Companies
operate in Adausena and its environs. The only food processing facility in the community is
a small oil palm processing plant belonging to the Church of Pentecost. There is also a
small-scale sawmill, which employs between 3 and 15 employees. The community has a
chemical store, 12 drinking spots, eight salons, and 12 stores. There is no entertainment or
community centre. There are three Christian churches in Adausena. The Royal Family
maintains a Palace in Adausena.
Hweakwae: The inhabitants of Hweakwae are primarily subsistence farmers engaged in the
cultivation of food crops - plantain, cassava, cocoyam, and cash crops such as oil palm, cocoa
and citrus. The National Census estimated that 1,016 persons lived in Hweakwae in 2000
and projected an increase to 1,249 people in 2008. The community has 10 stores, 10
drinking spots, five hair salons, and two chemical stores. There is no entertainment or
community centre. There are five churches in Hweakwae serving Christians, Catholics, and
Muslims.
Akyem Gold Mining Project November 2008 FINAL EIS