AngloGold Ashanti Launches 10-Year Development Plan For Mining Communities

The AngloGold Ashanti has launched a life-changing strategic plan to develop its host mining communities through a project dubbed “10 -Year Socio-Economic Development Plan.

The project which shall span from 2022 to 2031 is to contribute to a resilient and socio-economically self-sustaining communities with or without the mining.

It was launched on Thursday 7th July 2022 at a brief inaugural ceremony at Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.

In his welcome address, Mr. Richard Jordinson, SVP Ghana and Tanzania, AngloGold Ashanti indicated the 10-Year Development Plan is being rolled out after a successful implementation of the 3 – Year Development Plan which saw a lot of youth going through skills development, completion, and fully furnished Maternity Ward for the Obuasi Government Hospital, supporting and encouraging the youth in agriculture among others.

Also speaking at the ceremony was the South African Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Grace Jeanet Mason highlighted the modules of the plan which she indicated shall cover education, health, infrastructure, skill training, security, and business, among others.

The Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti, Mr. Eric Asubonteng heaped praises on major stakeholders whose selfish contributions led to the revival of the mining company and whose tireless efforts have led to the successful launch of the project.

The ceremony was attended by high-profile dignitaries including the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, H.E Grace Jeanet Mason, South African High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr. Richard Jordinson, SVP Ghana and Tanzania Business Unit of the AngloGold Ashanti, Opagyakotwere Bonsra Afriyie II, the Paramount Chief of Adanse Traditional Area and accompanied by some members of the Traditional Council, authorities of the Obuasi local Assemblies, community members, and other organizations.

Find below the full document on the “10 Year Socio-Economic Development Plan” for Obuasi by AngloGold Ashanti

HEALTH
•Nine (9) Community Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) facilities
•Expand 6 public health facilities
•Build capacity for Pandemic preparedness
•Organize bi-annual training for health professionals
•Organize quarterly community health sensitization and screening
•Collaborate with KNUST to establish the AGA Health Foundation as a Teaching Hospital.

EDUCATION
• Organize bi-annual instructional leadership training for Basic School teachers
•Distribute 500,000 copies of learning materials to Basic Schools
•Organize yearly Mock Exams for BECE candidates
•Construct 10 classroom blocks with water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), library and ICT facilities for Basic Schools
•Establish a Robotics Training Centre at Obuasi Sec Tech
•Construct/rehabilitate Science Computer Laboratories in SHS
•Establish AGA North Mine Workshops as a Functional Engineering Training Centre and with training partnerships with the KNUST Training School
•Support KNUST to renovate/construct infrastructure at the Obuasi campus
•Facilitate enrolment of students from host communities at the KNUST Obuasi Campus.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
•Train 1,000 youth in mining related disciplines
•Train 2,000 artisans in this sector

WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE
•Construct 12 community water systems •Construct 10 public toilet facilities •Implement Keep Obuasi Clean Campaign •Implement Environmental Cleanliness Model School Programme

COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE
•Rehabilitate 10km road network
•Install 4km overhead power line and street lighting
•Construct and equip 3 Police Stations/Posts
•Donate building materials/equipment to support community initiated projects
INDUSTRIALISATION
•Establish Eco-Industrial Park

AGRICULTURE
•Support 500 farmers to establish integrated forestry – oil palm plantation
•Support 500 farmers to cultivate and market vegetables
•Support 500 farmers to grow and market cereals
•Support farmers to rear and market pigs
•Establish aquaculture project

ENTREPRENEURSHIP
•Train and coach 1,000 SMEs
•Organize 5 entrepreneurial challenges
•Organize annual Obuasi Trade Show

PARTNERSHIPS
Establish Partnership Agreements/MOU to:
•Ensure coordination and harmonization of interventions
•Reduce waste through the elimination of duplicated efforts
•Leverage on expertise and resources to maximize benefits to communities
•Ensure sustainability through ownership

Source: Opemsuo.com/ Kwabena Kyeremateng Addo