Following the expiration of the three-year Social Management Plan (SMP), AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine has launched another all-inclusive 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) to further accelerate development in Obuasi.

The 10-year SMP according Richard Jordinson, Senior Vice President, Ghana & Tanzania Business Unit, was borne out of a strategic consultation with its major stakeholders, keeping in mind the longer-life of the mine, and the need to ensure all stakeholders benefit from a viable and secure mine.

He assured that the Company will continue to pursue strategic relationships with their stakeholders to build resilient and socioeconomically self-sustaining communities through improved social development, diversified and sustained local economy and improved partnerships.

Giving account of the just ended three-year SMP, Mr. Jordinson said the Plan was hugely successful. He said the erstwhile Plan captured areas like education and youth development, health, social infrastructure, agriculture, economic development.

He mentioned plethora of interventions that accompanied the Plan. He said the company collaborated with its major stakeholders to establish the KNUST- Obuasi campus, various youth apprenticeship programmes were also rolled up.

Additionally, he said, through the three-year SMP, the Mine funded the construction of a fully furnished Maternity Block for the Obuasi Government Hospital and put up a state-of-the art Intensive Care Unit at the AGA Health Foundation, which has proven tremendously helpful in the management of COVID-19 cases in Obuasi, reducing mortality and morbidity in patients.

"Our SMP also birthed the construction of a 1.3Km asphalt road from Kunka Junction to Nyameso Shell filling station in Obuasi which has since eased the burden of motorists plying that stretch.

The Managing Director of Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi mine, Eric Asubonteng for his part, emphasised that the 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan has been thought through and the final product was as a result of a year of consultation involving major stakeholders of the mine.

Again, he said the Plan was a reflection of the lessons learnt in the implementation of the three-year SMP.

Detailing the key components of the SEDP, Dr. Asubonteng said the Company plans to put up an Eco- Industrial Park at the former 'ETS site ' in the Obuasi East District.  He said the Eco- industrial park will comprise a community of businesses located on a common property in which businesses seek to achieve enhanced environmental, economic and social performance through collaboration in managing environmental and resource issues.

He also said the company through the 10-year SEDP will collaborate with KNUST to establish the AGA Health Foundation as a teaching hospital and also build a Community STEM library at KNUST- Obuasi campus.

The Managing Director also said the company will establish a Robotics Training center at Obuasi Senior High Technical school, establish AGA North Mine Workshops as a functional Engineering Training Centre and also train 1000 youth in mining related disciplines.

" To improve Community infrastructure, AGA plans to rehabilitate 10km of road networks in Obuasi, construct and equip three police stations or posts and install 4km overhead power line and street lighting.

 Simon Osei Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister mentioned the role played by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Eric Asubonteng, the MD of AGAG and the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the redevelopment of the Obuasi Mine.

He was optimistic that the 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan if successfully implemented, will enhance the development of Obuasi and its surrounding areas.

He, however, cautioned illegal miners who have pitched camp at the concessions of AngloGold Ashanti to move away since the company needs a congenial atmosphere to operate.

Nana Opagyakotwere Bonsrah Afriyie II, the Adansihene said the Adansi Traditional Area will be closely monitoring the implementation of the 10-year SEDP to ensure that what have been listed are successfully implemented.