By Elizabeth PUNSU, Obuasi
AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine (AGA) has constructed a new building for the Obuasi District Police Headquarters, in a bid to enhance security and safety of the communities within the Obuasi catchment area.
The building was constructed at a cost of GH₵2.13million. Located at New Bidiem, the land for the building was released to AGA by the Edubiase Traditional Authority.
The building boasts modern facilities, including interrogation rooms, a conference room and dedicated offices for various units – each of them fully furnished.
At a ceremony to hand over the building to the Ghana Police Service, Acting Managing Director, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, Awie Frey, said this intervention forms part of a Community Safety and Security Programme under the miner’s 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP).
Through the safety and security programme, crime within Obuasi Municipality has seen a major decline, while road accidents have dropped by 29 percent.
“We are reliably informed that the overall crime rate in Obuasi has seen a decline in recent years. Apart from this logistical support to the Ghana Police, we have also launched a Community Safety and Security Programme, involving the establishment of a standing multi-security stakeholder committee made up of all the state security institutions in Obuasi who meet on a regular basis to plan and carry out intensified public sensitisation on security and safety. This programme has contributed to a reduction of road incidents in Obuasi from 264 in 2022 to 188 in 2023, which represents about a 29 percent reduction,” he mentioned.
Also, AngloGold Ashanti has, since 2019, donated three brand new Toyota Hilux pick-ups to the Obuasi District, Obuasi Divisional Police Office and the newly created Ashanti South Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service.
On his part, Commander in charge of the Ashanti South Police Command, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) George Ankamah, was full of appreciation to AGA for its continuous support to the service.
He noted that the new edifice would be used for its intended purpose and promised to ensure proper maintenance culture.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Obuasi, Kweku Kwarteng, also expressed excitement at the gesture by AGA and encouraged traditional leaders to release land for the development of their communities.
