AngloGold Ashanti is accelerating efforts to reshape Obuasi into a thriving economic hub beyond gold mining, strengthening its focus on infrastructure, education, and industrial diversification.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure the town’s prosperity outlives the mine’s operational lifespan.
While the company’s US$500 million redevelopment project has revived mining activities, AngloGold Ashanti’s long-term vision extends far beyond gold extraction.
At the core of this vision is the creation of a self-sustaining local economy driven by diverse industries and skilled labor.
This was reiterated by Samuel Boakye Pobee, Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi during a recent media interaction. He stated that the mine’s revival must directly translate into meaningful, lasting benefits for the community.
“Obuasi is, perhaps, among the world’s top three producing regions and while we believe the deposits will last for a long time, our goal is to diversify the local economy. We want Obuasi to reflect the wealth drawn from its resources and to thrive beyond mining,” Mr. Pobee explained.
One of the company’s flagship initiatives is the development of a 100-acre business park in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The park aims to attract industrial investment, stimulate business growth, and create new employment opportunities in the region.
To support local entrepreneurship, AngloGold Ashanti has facilitated US$370,000 in loans for 16 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The company also provides mentorship and training to help local businesses build capacity and expand beyond the mining sector.
“We have trained SMEs in Obuasi to improve their competencies—not just to work with us, but to be competitive anywhere,” Mr. Pobee noted.
“Recently, we took 30 local businesses to Kumasi to learn from successful institutions, equipping them with the skills to grow and bring those lessons back to Obuasi,” he added.
In a further push to empower local talent, the company runs an apprenticeship programme that enrolls at least 100 young people annually in trades such as welding, electrical work, and mechanical repairs.
AngloGold Ashanti fully funds the training and provides stipends to participants, preparing them for careers both within and beyond the mining industry.
With these initiatives, AngloGold Ashanti is positioning Obuasi as a model for sustainable development—where the benefits of its rich gold reserves extend far beyond the mine and into the town’s future prosperity, the MD noted.
Investments in education, skills development
Recognising the need for long-term skills development, AngloGold Ashanti has played a key role in expanding tertiary and technical education in Obuasi.
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Obuasi Campus, which was established through company support, has already enrolled over 2,500 students, helping to position the town as an academic hub.
“We committed almost close to GH¢1.9 million to help renovate most of these things, to set up a satellite campus. By 2024, over 2,575 students have enrolled. The third batch that graduated, almost 324 already by the end of 2023,” he noted.
AngloGold Ashanti has also converted a former engineering workshop into a training center, offering technical training programmes to build a pipeline of skilled labor.
The Obuasi Mine MD pointed out that the company has adjusted its local employment policy to ensure these training efforts translate into job opportunities
“This year, we have committed 70 percent of semi-skilled jobs to Obuasi people. You can not train them and then they do not have opportunities,” he said, adding to the 100 percent quota for unskilled labour.
Furthermore, AngloGold Ashanti has partnered with the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation to support basic education. Through this collaboration, 147,000 books have been distributed to schools, ensuring that every government school student in Obuasi has access to learning materials.
Healthcare and other infrastructure
AngloGold Ashanti has launched a 10-year development plan, committing US$4 million annually to healthcare, education, and infrastructure projects.
One of the flagship initiatives is a mobile health outreach programme, which provides free medical care to over 1,000 people per session. The company has also constructed three new community water systems to improve access to potable water.
“We bring healthcare to the doorstep of the community members,” Mr. Pobee explained.
“We provide free medical care to all the community members, as much as will be available during the programme,” he continued.
Additionally, AngloGold Ashanti has been involved in road improvement projects to enhance connectivity within Obuasi.
Employment and local content Prioritisation
With over 5,400 direct employees, AngloGold Ashanti remains the largest employer in the Ashanti Region. The MD noted that the company has refined its employment policies to ensure that the benefits of mining extend to the host communities.
“For skilled labor, our approach is that it is open for all Ghanaians. But if you are from the Obuasi area, we are going to look favourably at you,” he stated.
The mine has also prioritised local contractors, with 43 percent of its procurement going to local companies and another 45 percent to local multinationals.
Challenges and long-term outlook
While AngloGold Ashanti has made progress, Mr. Pobee acknowledged that developing Obuasi into a fully diversified economy will take time.
Comparisons with Johannesburg, another former mining town that has evolved into a major economic hub, are frequently made.
“Obviously, it is not going to take just less than 10 years to arrive at Johannesburg status, but at least we need to start from somewhere and we are committed to making this a reality,” he said.
