AngloGold Ashanti deepens local enterprise support

…with maiden Business Innovation Challenge

By Elizabeth PUNSU, Obuasi

AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Mine has reaffirmed its commitment to building a resilient and self-sustaining local economy with the maiden edition of the Business Innovation Challenge, a flagship initiative under the mine’s 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP).

This groundbreaking initiative, the first of its kind, seeks to empower young people in Obuasi and surrounding communities to develop innovative, sustainable business ideas that address local challenges and drive economic diversification.

Ten finalists out of the initial 42 contestants pitched their business proposals before a panel of distinguished judges for a chance to win funding, mentorship and investor exposure. The initiative is designed to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset among the youth, equipping them with the skills and opportunities to transform ideas into viable enterprises.

At the end of the challenge, Airotx Technologies came out as winners and took home a whopping GH?100,000; Oli-Emma took second place with a cash amount of GH?50,000; Charcoal Masters (GH?30,000) placed third whereas Lyn Special Kelewele (GH?20,000) and Ijoy Engineering and Cleaning Services (GH?10,000) placed fourth and fifth respectively.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Managing Director of AGA Obuasi Mine, Samuel Pobee, Community Relations Manager Edmund Oduro Agyei said the Innovation Challenge is central to the company’s mission to stimulate enterprise growth, create sustainable jobs and diversify the Obuasi economy.

Mr. Agyei said AngloGold remains committed to empowering local talent to catalyse economic transformation, enhance the visibility of Obuasi-based enterprises and build strong, self-sustaining communities.

He added that the challenge forms part of a broader suite of enterprise development interventions, including the Skills Development and Certification Programme and the Business Acceleration and Sustainability Programme (BAST), implemented in partnership with Absa Bank Ghana and the Mastercard Foundation.

So far, AGA has trained 1,383 micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs)—with women representing 53 percent of participants, demonstrating the mine’s dedication to inclusive and gender-responsive development. These interventions, he said, have yielded measurable gains, enabling many MSMEs to secure financing, expand their operations, increase revenues and create new jobs.

Beyond these direct outcomes, Mr. Agyei noted that more than 200,000 residents have benefitted indirectly through enhanced economic activity and improved livelihoods across the municipality.

Mr. Agyei congratulated the finalists and urged them to make the most of the opportunity, emphasising that their selection reflects their creativity, determination and readiness to contribute to Obuasi’s economic transformation.

He reaffirmed AGA’s commitment to supporting participants beyond the competition to help them develop their ideas into sustainable, competitive businesses.

The challenge was implemented in collaboration with CEDI Ghana, KNUST Obuasi Campus, Absa Bank Ghana, Ghana Enterprises Agency, Obuasi Municipal Assembly and Obuasi East Municipal Assembly.

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