AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has awarded financial support to businesses and startups to expand operations.

The five awardees developed sustainable business ideas, from agriculture to technology, in a competition to receive support.

The Innovation Challenge initiative is aimed at empowering entrepreneurs and innovators who are shaping high-growth potential businesses in Obuasi.

The competition, spanning six months, commenced with 42 initial contestants going through rigorous coaching, training, and vetting. Ten outstanding finalists took the stage to pitch their transformative and groundbreaking ideas.

Sustainability Manager for AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, Edmund Oduro Agyei, explains that the intervention is part of a development plan of the mine to provide self-jobs and diversify Obuasi’s economy.

“The maiden edition of the Business Innovation Challenge is a key component of the AGA Obuasi Mine's 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP), which underscores our commitment to promoting local enterprise growth, creating sustainable employment, diversifying the local economy, and driving long-term community development.

“We believe that by investing in our local talent, we can stimulate economic development that raises the profiles of not just Obuasi businesses but also contributes towards building resilient and self-sustaining communities,” he said.

Lead Consultant of the innovation challenge, Kingsley Kwaku Pinkrah, believes the aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners have been nurtured to effect social change with entrepreneurship and economic growth.

“We were fortunate to have seasoned personalities mentor, guide, and support the entrepreneurs to complete their training. Entrepreneurship is transformative, and these young entrepreneurs have exhibited resilience over the months. Indeed, they have changed our social challenges into opportunities to make society a better place,” he said.

Airotix Technologies carried the day as top winners, receiving a GHC100,000 prize.

Oli Emma, Charcoal master, Kalewale, and Joy Engineering followed in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th positions, receiving Ghc 50,000, Ghc 30,000, Ghc 20,000, and Ghc 10,000, respectively.

All 10 finalists received certificates, with DA Systems receiving the best sustainability business and the female co-founder of Oli-Emma receiving the best female entrepreneur.

Airotix Technologies developed an air purifier that detects and cleans the air of harmful gases.

The young entrepreneurs assured that the support from AGA will help their innovation to scale and support environmental sustainability.

“The air pollution in our environment keeps increasing, which informed our intervention. We are very much elated, and we promise to move to the next step with the support we have received,” they said.