Mining giant AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has given the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Obuasi campus GHȼ1m to upgrade its infrastructure to meet the rising number of student population of the school. 

The intervention by the gold mine is part of efforts to improve education in its host communities in the Ashanti region.

The Obuasi campus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, started with less than 400 students but enrollment has risen to over 2,000 in the past three years.

Although the student population has increased, the expansion of infrastructure remains a challenge.

AngloGold Ashanti’s donation is to support infrastructure expansion of the university and the move is part of its 10-year Socio Economic Development Plan and commitment to contribute to the socioeconomic development of host communities through community investment. 

“Anything that is in the interest of the Obuasi community is in our interest. We see it as a key partnership to have this tertiary institution in our host communities giving the youth in Obuasi the opportunity to have access to tertiary education without having to travel to Kumasi.

“We’ve realised students’ population keeps increasing yearly, that is why we’re donating this money to help the institution expand its infrastructure,” Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti, Eric Asubonteng, said.

According to the company, “the increasing population of students will help in the diversification of the local Obuasi economy”.

University Relations Officer of KNUST, Dr. Norris Bekoe, lauded AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine for the intervention.

Dr. Norris Bekoe revealed how the money will be invested in improving facilities on the Obuasi campus

“As a new campus we have so many challenges but fortunately AngloGold Ashanti has been very supportive from day one. We will invest the money in the expansion of lecture halls and also build a library on the campus, “he noted.