AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Mine has donated an amount of GH₵1million to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Obuasi campus in the Ashanti Region.
The gesture is part of AGA’s Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) with commitment to contribute to the socioeconomic development of host communities through Community Investment.
The donation demonstrates the company’s desire and commitment to support the infrastructure expansion such as lecture halls and library facilities of the institution to maintain high standards as the student population increases.
Speaking to journalists after the presentation of the cheque at the Obuasi campus of KNUST, Managing Director of AGA, Eric Asubonteng indicated that the gesture was part of diversifying the socio-economic development of the Obuasi township by strengthening institutions under AGA’s 10-year SEDP.
The MD told journalist that the support to the University was to help expansion of their facilities at the University’s Obuasi Campus. He revealed that the setting up of the Obuasi campus came about through collaboration between AGA, KNUST leadership and other stakeholders in the Obuasi community as well. “We didn’t end it there, we have continued and supported them almost every step of the way”, he stressed.
According to him, management of AGA sees it as an important partnership to have the University in the Mine’s host community, giving the youth in Obuasi the opportunity to access good tertiary education from a reputable institution like KNUST without having to travel to places like Kumasi to deal with the accommodation issues.
Director of Communications for KNUST, Dr. Daniel Norris Bekoe, on his part expressed appreciation to AGA for their support since the inception of the Obuasi campus. He stressed that the funds would be used to expand the University’s facilities to meet the ever-growing student population.
Mr Bekoe mentioned that KNUST had been working with AGA since time immemorial had been very supportive. He emphasized that the donation of GH₵1million would go into infrastructure development effort on campus and to bring up other necessary amenities the students would need.
He remarked that the management of KNUST as well as the Vice Chancellor is very excited about the gesture and is hoped that there would be more support so that the University can expand the Obuasi campus to the desired level.
Mr Bekoe revealed that the Obuasi Campus of KNUST started with 325 students but currently has over 2,300 students. According to him, the Obuasi campus has a lot of prospects and the management of the University know that in the next five years the University would be itching to about 6000 students, which he believes would bring some economic development to the municipality.
He further hoped that that this partnership would continue to grow and get stronger so that both institutions can achieve the desired dream.
