AGA launches development plan to transform lives in Obuasi
AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Mine, has launched a 10-year socio-economic development plan to help improve the lives of the people of Obuasi Municipal and Obuasi East District Assembly.
The plan is to contribute toward a resilient local economy and sustain the local communities.
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It is to help grow local businesses with varied supports, build capacities of indigenes and make them self-reliant.
The plan was built on the successful implementation of a three-year social management plan to diversify and sustain the local economy beyond the mines.
Beyond the two assemblies, the plan is to cover all its host communities, traditional capitals of the paramount and divisional stools to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of the people.
The Senior Vice President, Ghana and Tanzania Business Unit, AGA, Mr. Richard Jordinson, said at the launch in Obuasi that the 10-year development plan will ensure that all stakeholders benefit from a viable and secure mine.
“We will continue to pursue strategic relationships with our stakeholders to build resilient and socio-economically self-sustaining communities through improved social development, diversified and sustained local economy and improve partnerships,” he said.
The mining firm has spent $1028.59 million since the inception of the Obuasi redevelopment project, out of which 84 per cent has been spent on Ghanaian companies, some of which are Obuasi-based.
Mr Jordinson expressed hope that with the collaboration of stakeholders including the government, the plan will succeed.
The Ashanti regional minister, Mr Simon Osei-Mensah said the multiplier effect from the plan will transform the lives of the people and expand their businesses.
He promised the government will do everything possible to ensure that it benefitted the people economically.
Caution
The regional minister announced that royalties from the mine were currently being deposited into the Minerals Development Fund to ensure that it was used for its intended purpose.
Mr Osei-Menash cautioned illegal miners to desist from encroaching on the concession of the company.
He warned that culprits will be dealt with according to the laws of Ghana.
Transparency
The Adansihene, Opagyakotwere Bonsra Afriyie II, urged the communities to cooperate with the mine for the programme to succeed while advising politicians, especially those in charge of the royalties to be transparent in showing what they were being used for.
