AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine has launched another all- inclusive 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) to further accelerate development in Obuasi.
This followed the expiration of the 3-year Social Management Plan (SMP).
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 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 3-year Social Management Plan, 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 3- 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.
Consultative process
The managing director of Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi mine, Eric Asubonteng 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.
He said the Plan was a reflection of the lessons learnt in the implementation of the 3-year Social Management Plan which ended this year.
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.
