Mining, a major global activity, is extolled and chided in equal measure. Ironically, mining's developmental ethos is criticised and praised at the same time. Over the years, the presence of precious mineral deposits has been associated with widespread poverty and underdevelopment in mining areas/ communities. 

Obuasi has over the years been compared to the affluent South Africa city of Johannesburg. While some believe the comparison has been unfair, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine remains poised to break the barrier between mining and development in Obuasi. 

AngloGold Ashanti after a brief hiatus introduced a 3- year Social Management Plan in 2019. The plan focused on a comprehensive approach to positively impact the communities surrounding their mining operations, primarily through initiatives in education, healthcare, infrastructure development, water and sanitation, and skills training, with a strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement and ensuring long-term sustainability.

The expiration of the plan in 2022 birthed the ambitious 10-year Socio-economic Development Plan (SEDP). The 10-year SEDP was outdoored in July 2022 after a four-month intensive engagement programme with stakeholders including the local assemblies and traditional authorities. 

The SEDP articulates the social investment strategy for Obuasi mine for the period until 2031, and runs in parallel with the mine’s community trust fund. The plan seeks three intermediate outcomes: Improved social development, a diversified and sustained local economy and Improved partnerships.

New District Police Headquarters 

Included in the plan was Improved security. As a mining company conscious of the impact of safety and security of the Mine and residents in the communities, AngloGold Ashanti incorporated the construction of security posts in the plan.

In February 2024, the well equipped modern Obuasi District Police Headquarters was outdoored at New Bidiem. 

In a ceremony witnessed by key government officials, Nananom and security officers, AngloGold Ashanti made their intentions clear of contributing to reducing crime rate in Obuasi and surrounding areas.

Magnificent Sanso school

Access to quality education remains a dominant feature of the 10-year SEDP. A plethora of projects and interventions in the educational sector were lined up in the plan but what has so far caught attention is the impressive Sanso Basic school.

After a groundbreaking ceremony in December 2022, the 9- unit classroom block was finally unveiled in January 30, 2024. Widely considered to be the most beautiful public school in Ghana, boasts of a library, ICT centre, sick bay, canteen, washrooms, and dedicated offices for teachers.

It aims to enhance the quality of education and create a more conducive learning environment for students in the catchment areas.

The GH8.4 million Robotics Centre at Obuasi Sec Tech. School

Perhaps the most prestigious project in the education sector. AngloGold Ashanti is clesr in their minds in their quest to make Obuasi the hub for innovation and technological growth, providing students not only at the Obuasi Sec Tech school but the entire Obuasi township, with resources and opportunities to broaden their knowledge in artificial intelligence particularly robotics.

According to report, the project is at the final stages of completion.

Dokyiwa Soap factory 

As part of the 10-year SEDP, AGA seeks to empower the local community with employable skills.  The move is targeted at diversifying the economy of Obuasi.

As part of this, sime women in New Dokyiwa, a resettled community in the Obuasi Municipality were given training in Soap making.  To properly set them up, AngloGold Ashanti has constructed a modern factory intended to foster sustainable development and boost the income levels of the women in the community.

The one million Ghana cedis (Gh1,000,000) ultra-modern factory is expected to be handed over in a couple of weeks time.

Quarterly Mini clinic

Introduced in 2021, the mini clinic is an initiative of the mining company to support the health needs of residents of Obuasi and Adansi. It is meant to promote frequent health screening in rural communities and to introduce quality healthcare delivery to the doorsteps of the people.

As an important feature in its 10-year socio-economic development plan, the mini clinic forms part of the plethora of health intervention initiatives intended to bring quality health care to the doorsteps of the people within the mine's operational area at NO cost to them.

Others include the construction of Dokyiwaa/ Binsere health centre, and renovation of Akrokerri Hospital and construction of theatre as well as other health facilities in the offing.