The Municipal Chief Executive of Obuasi is courting the Indian government to explore investment opportunities in the city’s natural resource deposits.

Elijah Adansi Bonah explained the need for industry expansion focused on the value addition to gold mined in the Obuasi area.

He urged the Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Sugandh Rajaram, to explore the economic potentials of Obuasi and invest in the mining town.

 “If we want to develop or grow we don’t do it alone, we do it together so we need to build synergies but when it comes to business opportunities because of the giant mining company we have in Obuasi, the prospects abound. So if anyone wants to work with Obuasi, then I can assure you that we have the potential.”

He revealed that PMMC, last year sent a bill to parliament meant to demand that 30 percent of the gold produced in Ghana is retained.

“…not long ago I had a discussion in Accra with them and they are lobbying for 40 percent. So say AngloGold Ashanti produces, only 60 percent will be exported whiles forty percent will be retained here. What are we going to do with the gold? , we need capital to invest in this.

"Instead of us going to other countries like Dubai to buy, why can’t we add value to what we have - the raw materials - that is why we need investors from India.”

The Indian Diplomat paid a courtesy call on him as part of an engagement with the Rotary Club of Obuasi. The meeting, officials say, is critical to strengthening the bilateral partnership between Ghana and India.

Mr Adansi Bonah reiterated the quest for more investors to reduce the development burden on Anglogold Ashanti.

The Indian High Commissioner, His Excellency Sugandh Rajaram, described the India-Ghana partnership as critical to creating alternative income streams in agriculture.

Mr Rajaram hinted that his office is open to synergies with Obuasi and its local authorities for business exploration and is looking forward for engagement with stakeholders for cooperation in business and social development to help increase and improve the livelihood of the people.

Partnership with Rotary Obuasi
Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Sugandh Rajaram commended the Rotary Club of Obuasi for its immense contributions towards the development of communities within Obuasi and its environs.

It was after a day's visit to the Obuasi Rotary club as part of his maiden tour in Ashanti region. He projects undertaken by Obuasi Rotary Club which included, thirty (30) household micro-flush toilets and mechanized borehole at Akokoaso, a mechanized borehole at Dadwen and thirty (30) micro-flush toilets at Komfokrom.

The visit to Obuasi was to acquaint himself with the activities of Rotarians in Obuasi and also share insights on the proposed synergy with Indian government on matters of economic development which will in turn impart on the social concerns in it operating communities. 

Mr Rajaram expressed his admiration for the positive impact the club has made in changing the lives of society.

Rotarians in Obuasi are also committed to planting thousand (1000) trees in the schools and the Obuasi Township to protect the environment and contribute to restoring the greenery in Obuasi.

President of the club, Abdul Mumin Tahir told the media the club’s focus area is to have clean water and good sanitation in communities where Rotary finds itself.

Mr. Sugandh Rajaram finally touched on the 4-way test which serves as the key value for Rotarians in their activities and lauded them for their selfless service.

Meanwhile, President-elect for Rotary Club of Obuasi, Mr. Sarwan Kumar is expected to lead the club in the next rotary year in building a neo-natal ICU to support maternal and child health, a key focus area for Rotary.

This facility is expected to help reduce maternal and neo-natal mortalities.