Obuasi: AngloGold Ashanti Hands Over New Police Headquarters
AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has commissioned and handed over a fully furnished ultramodern District Police Headquarters to help improve security in the Obuasi Municipality.
The facility is in partial fulfillment of the 10-year socio-economic development plan launched some two years ago with the aim of ensuring a sustainable economy and developmental status for both residents and mining communities.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony at Bidiem, Acting Managing Director for AngloGold Ashanti, Awie Frey, said the facility, which runs into a total cost of 2.13 million Cedis, is an indication of the company’s concern about the security and safety of mining communities.
“At AngloGold Ashanti, we recognize the impact of the safety and security of our communities,” he indicated.
He further added that AGA, through the 10-year socio-economic development plan launched in 2022, is charting a new path for inclusive development planning and delivery in their host communities.
Mr. Awie Frey added, “Throughout this social performance journey, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has demonstrated a commitment to contributing to resilient and socio-economically self-sustaining communities within our operational footprints through designs and implementations that will, among other things, contribute to improving the safety and security of our people.”
According to him, AGA’s interventions and support to security agencies in Obuasi, including the donation of three Toyota Hilux pick-ups to the Obuasi District, Obuasi Division, and the Ashanti South Regional Command respectively, have aided in effective security service delivery.
“These donations, coupled with the establishment of a ‘Community Safety and Security Program’ involving the establishment of a Standing Multi-Security Stakeholder Committee made up of all state security agencies in Obuasi, have contributed to a reduction in crime and road accidents in Obuasi from 264 in 2022 to 188 in 2023, representing about a 29 percent reduction.
The facility boasts of interrogation rooms, male, female, and juvenile cells, a conference room and dedicated offices for various units, each fully furnished.
He expressed optimism “that it will undoubtedly provide a befitting office premise for the Obuasi District Police Command”.
The Ashanti South Police Commander, DCOP George Ankamah, commended AGA for the edifice and their continuous support for the Police in Obuasi.
However, he took the opportunity to appeal once again to AGA to add residential facilities to make working in this facility convenient and efficient.
Again, AGA should endeavour to give this newly established Police District a pick-up truck to facilitate their work.
The handing over ceremony was attended by Nana Akua Dwum, the Queen Mother of Adubiasi; Hon Kwaku Kwarteng, the Obuasi West MP; Hon Elijah Adansi Bonah, the Obuasi MCE; Mr. I.K. Acheampong, the representative of the Ashanti Regional Minister; Mr. Emmanuel Biadoo, the Community Relations Manager for Africa, AngloGold; along with traditional leaders and Police personnel, among others.
Story by George Addo
