Management of the Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL) have expressed worry over recent attacks on their staff and properties by some residents in some of their host communities within the Western Region.

Speaking during the inauguration and handing over of a community center to the people of Nyanso in the Tarkwa -Nsuayem municipality, Corporate Affairs Manager, Perry Acheampong lamented on how these actions of the residents has affected their operation in recent times.

“Some unscrupulous persons from a few of our operational area communities, have unfortunately, taken the laws into their own hands and visited extremely regrettable harm and destructions to GREL staff and properties in recent times. This behaviour is unacceptable”, he said.

Mr. Acheampong said, GREL, will explore and use all legal means to pursue the perpetrators of these dastardly acts.

“We call on all well- meaning leaders, our revered chiefs, and elders to roundly condemn these criminal actions of a few, since it denies the majority of the enormous good”, he added.

“GREL will respond favorably and undertake CSR projects only in communities that are ready to live peacefully with us”, he pointed out.

On the community center built for the Nyanso community, Mr Acheampong said, it forms part a testament of the development that cordial and peaceful coexistence brings to communities and nations.

He explained that providing such amenities is essential to the rubber company, as it create and maintain a strong relationship with their stakeholders for improved livelihoods of residents in their operational communities.

“This is done by firmly holding on to our Sustainability Policy of Respect for Human Rights, Responsible Development of our Operations, and Best Management Practices in line with national and international laws, regulations, and conventions”.

“Our local communities cannot be developed by only the Government of Ghana and the Municipal Assembly. You need the private sector just as the private sector needs you. You need GREL just as GREL needs you for mutual peaceful co-existence and development”.

The Chief of Nyano, Nana Essoun Kuma II, on behalf of the elders and people of Nyanso community expressed their profound gratitude to Ghana Rubber Estate Limited for responding swiftly to their needs in the community.

 He pledged to the full maintenance of the facility for generations yet to be born to benefit from the edifice.

Nyanso Community Centre Project

The construction of the Community Centre follows an application from the Chiefs and People of Nyanso. 

This according to Management of GREL, followed several stakeholder engagements and durbars, as part of efforts to ensure that there was a broader community buy-in.

The Community Centre will serve as social center for residents, host wedding receptions, visitors who attend festival and funerals of their loved ones.

The presence of the community center is expected to reduce the amount of money spent on renting tents and canopies by community members anytime there is a programme.

The cost of the facility is estimated at ¢306,644.03

.