Douglas Chikohora, Chief Executive Officer CAA Mining Limited a UK registered parent of Kwabena Resources Limited, as part of his company’s development agenda to work with the government and support the community in which it vying to operate, on Friday 12th March 2021, at the Baomahun Court Barry, Valunia chiefdom, Bo district, Southern Sierra Leone, pledged $4 Million towards the CDA and other infrastructural support to the township and its environs.

The CEO stated that the visit to the Baomahun community was to enable the management of Kwabena Resources Limited to get first-hand information and engage the community on mapping the way forward, adding that his company is very much determined to bring sustainable development to the Chiefdom.

“I first visited the country in 2004, so I’m very much knowledgeable and have the experience in undertaking large scale mining in this chiefdom. Lots of things have happened here since 2004 to date, starting from past governments issuing of exploration license to its cancellation. But we are here to change the story if we are given the Mining Lease to operate full scale Mining,” he explained.

Mr Chikohora, said one of his dreams has been to build the Baomahun Gold Project, and called on stakeholders to support Kwabena Resources Limited and make this dream a reality. He furthered that the company directors have worked in several Africa Countries, including Ghana, Bukina Faso, Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe, and have done very well in all those countries. He called on the people of Valunia chiefdom to embrace the opportunity given to them by the Company.

In conclusion, CEO said that upon commencement of operations, they will employ an initial number of about 500 people, assuring stakeholders that what is due them as landowners will be adequately addressed and surface rent due to them duly paid.

In her statement, Paramount Chief of Valunia Chiefdom, Dr. Margret C. Baio Banie, thanked the management of Kwabena Resources Limited for such a massive support in developing her Chiefdom. She stated that though the government has not awarded the company a license yet, they have been very much supportive to the Chiefdom. She stated that whilst they did not have the absolute power to grant concession license to any company, they will recommend to the government the wishes of the people. She assured them that the government is a listening government and wants what is best for the people.

“The government considers us very important in the process of awarding concession License to any company that chooses to operate in our chiefdom, that is why they ask all companies vying for concession license to come and talk with the people, and among all those that have come, we are very much impressed with Kwabena Resources Limited so far, but at the end of the day the government still has the final decision to who it will grant the license,” She said.

The Paramount Chief, however, prayed for the wisdom to choose the right company that will benefit the people of this country at the end.

Honorable Bash-Kamara, Member of Parliament for the Constituency, applauded the Kwabena Management, disclosing that during the COVID-19, when things were difficult; the company supported his constituents with Food and preventive materials against the CoronaVirus, and is supporting the ongoing Solar electrification project in the Valunia chiefdom.

He stated that the 4 Million dollars pledge by the company will help in changing the lives of his people, as his constituents are deeply in need of development, adding that the government cannot do everything for every region and district at the same time. Hon Bash-Kamara encouraged them to continue with the good work, as the Bio government is ready to work with genuine investors.

It could be recalled that the people of Valunia Chiefdom had written a letter of thank you to the Kwabena Resources Limited Company for all the support given to them.

Mohamed Kamara, a Civil Society Activist, said that though the competition for the concession license is high, but by all indications show that Kwabena Resources Limited has won the hearts of the people and will likely be granted the license, he is hopeful of a very peaceful and cordial relationship between the people and the company, judging by what he has heard from all sides and seen.

Earlier, the Country Manager: Mr. Abdul Fofanah introduced members of the delegation which includes Mr. William Slake: Director of Finance, Mr. Alimamy Rasin Wurie: Director, Mr. Donaldson Ken Davies, Mr. Clifford Patnelli, Dr. Emmanuel J. M. Stafford and others.

Valunia, is one of the chiefdoms that has the highest gold deposit in the country, but ironically, is among the poorest chiefdoms.