It is an undeniable fact that the livelihoods of most resource-rich countries are tied to the existence of the natural resources of the country.

Yet, this does not translate into long-term sustainable economic gains for all since such resources are non-renewable.

Recognising this, AngloGold Ashanti rolled out a comprehensive 10-year Socioeconomic Development Plan to diversify the Obuasi economy.

Included in the all-encompassing strategic framework is an Aquaculture and Piggery projects targeted at creating jobs and strengthening food systems in AngloGold Ashanti’s host communities.

Speaking at the launch of the intervention in Obuasi, the Ashanti Regional Director of Agriculture, Patrick Owusu Acheampong, commended the Obuasi Mine for strategically addressing the issue of ‘Dutch disease’, which normally confronts resource-endowed countries.

He said investing in piggery and aquaculture is considered to be a promising yet undeveloped sub-sector, underscoring AngloGold Ashanti’s commitment to address unemployment and scale up the income levels of farmers.

He said the strategy aligns with the Ministry of Agriculture’s objectives under the Feed Ghana Programme by the Government which focuses on commercialization, private sector investment involvement and value chain development as key drivers of growth and resilience in the Agriculture sector.

To make the projects effective and sustainable, AngloGold Ashanti successfully trained 100 individuals in aquaculture and 100 in piggery from diverse communities across Obuasi.

For the year 2025, AGA will directly support 10 aquaculture farmers, while 9 pig farmers will gain from the piggery initiative.

This, according to the Community Relations Manager of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, Edmund Oduro Agyei, forms part of the Mine’s integrated agro-industry programme, established under our 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP).

He explained that the objective of the projects is to diversify and sustain the local economy of Obuasi by creating meaningful job opportunities for the unemployed and strengthening the food systems in the host communities of the Mine and beyond.

Throwing more light on the packages for the beneficiary farmers, Mr Adjei said “under the aquaculture intervention, the 10 farmers have already received 2,000 fingerlings each to boost their business efforts; received 45 bags each of fish feed; and will today, receive weighing scales, seine nets, waders, water quality probes, footbaths, water nets and ahotor ovens”.

Under the Piggery Project, he said the Mine has supported the farmers with a total of 18 Gilts (young female pigs under 1 year old); 9 boars (male pigs); 72 bags of gilt feed; 196 bags of gestation feed, and 239 weaner growers’ feed.

He commended the efforts of the partners, the Ministry of Agriculture and the University of Cape Coast, for collaborating to effectively carry out the projects.

The CRM of AngloGold Ashanti said partnership is a fulcrum that sustains the 10-year SEDP of the Mine, urging them to monitor the projects to achieve a desirable outcome.