AGA launches Obuasi entrepreneurship and innovation challenge

AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Mine has launched the Obuasi Entrepreneurship and Innovation Challenge to help promote businesses in Obuasi and Amansie areas.

The Launch also coincided with activities marking this year’s World MSME Day.

Mr. Edmund Oduro Agyei, the Community Relations Manager of AGA addressing the forum noted that in 2014 when the company suspended operations, Obuasi became a ghost town and that when the mine came back in 2019, AGA deemed it expedient to transform the town into a business hub where businesses will flourish with the support of the Obuasi Campus of KNUST.

He emphasised that in Kumasi and Winneba there is no mine in these areas, but the economy there is vibrant following the establishment of universities there. Mr. Oduro Agyei continued that following the support given by AGA over 1,383 SMEs have gone through the company’s Enterprise and Skills Training programme out of which 53% of the trainees were women-owned businesses while 810 of them increased their revenue after the training.

He announced that 42 youth from Obuasi and Amansie have come up with various business ideas under the Innovation Challenge and Entrepreneurship Programme and are going to be supported by the company in collaboration with KNUST to achieve their vision.

The Community Relations Manager expressed the hope that by the interventions of AGA, Obuasi will one day become second to Kumasi in terms of business and indications are that Obuasi will survive without the mine.

Mr. Andrew Dwomo Osei, Secretary of Obuasi Local Contractors Association said the vibrant economy everybody envisions for Obuasi cannot depend on gold mining alone and that the alternative must be a flourishing MSMES sector.

Mr. Thomas Opoku, Obuasi Municipal Director Ghana Enterprise Agency on his part expressed appreciation to the Obuasi businessmen and women for their dedication and resilience in supporting the local economy.

“Your contributions matter not only to our local economy, but to the national and global agenda of prosperity and sustainable development,” he added.

Madam Ruth Donkor of Agyapoma Enterprise, one of the successful entrepreneurs in Obuasi in an interview with the media said before she got support from AngloGold, she had only two assistants at her enterprise, but her business has boomed after the AGA support and has now employed 16 more workers.

She stated that she has had the privilege to be sponsored by AGA on business trips to Accra and several areas to interact with business tycoons to enhance her experience.

From Frederick Danso Abeam, Obuasi

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