Asanko Gold Ghana Limited has reiterated its commitment to revamping infrastructural and communal development within its operational communities, despite violent clashes witnessed around its concession.
From education to health, the gold mining company in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti region continues to invest in developmental projects in communities around the mine.
A multipurpose community centre, worth over 2.3 million cedis, has been recently commissioned by the mine to be a hub for knowledge sharing, community gatherings, capacity-building programs and cultural exchange.
The facility forms part of Asanko’s wider Social Investment and Community Development Programme, through which it continues to deliver real improvements in education, health, agriculture and infrastructure across its host communities.
Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Asanko Gold Ghana, Dr. Charles Amoah, believes the new facility, constructed through the collaborative efforts of the mine and the community, is a testament of communal solidarity to foster sustainable growth.
“It stands as proof to what we can achieve together when communities, traditional authorities and the private sector align toward a common vision of sustainable development,” Dr. Amoah noted.
The community centre adds to the many other infrastructural projects initiated by the mine, including the Kwabenaso Primary School, five-unit Asuadai Teachers’ Bungalows, and the 60-bed Esaase Hospital.
As part of the Asanko’s Five-Year Development Plan, the mine is currently undertaking other projects such as the Asanko Scholarship Scheme, launched this year, and has since awarded full educational support to 15 brilliant but needy students from both Esaase and Obotan areas.
Others include a soap-making initiative, currently being piloted, to empower women and youth with livelihood skills and income-generating opportunities.
An Agro Input Support Program, aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and food security in the host communities has also commenced.
The Kwankyeabo community saw a modern 10-seater toilet facility also constructed to improve sanitation and promote better hygiene and public health standards.
Speaking at the official inauguration of the community centre, the paramount Chief of Manso Nkwanta, Nana Bi-Kusi Appiah II expressed profound appreciation to Asanko Gold for its long-standing collaboration with traditional authorities and for continuously investing in the welfare of local communities.
“We thank Asanko for allowing God to touch their hearts to build this beautiful community centre. This project does not belong to Manso Nkran alone, it belongs to all the Amansie communities,” he said.
He praised the mine for inclusive and responsible mining, stressing that the company’s reinvestment of part of its revenue into community projects promotes both peace and development.
“If you are working and you take part of the money to help the community you operate in, it brings peace and progress. I plead with Asanko to continue supporting development and to create more jobs for the youth,” he noted.
Despite challenges in the mining sector, management of the mine says they remain committed to responsible mining and creating lasting value for both the shareholders and host communities, recognizing the communities as true partners in progress.
“Our efforts are also aligned with the Government of Ghana’s vision, to ensure that communities around mining operations receive real and lasting benefits. We continue to invest heavily in infrastructure, human capital and sustainable initiatives that directly benefit the people within the operational area,” Dr. Amoah noted.
Source: Emmanuel Bright Quaicoe