Among several efforts by AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) to ensure that the Obuasi community lives on after the existence of the mine, the Sustainability Manager of AGA, Nana Ampofo Bekoe revealed that as part of its new position and the focus to develop SMEs, AGA would during the year launch the Enterprise Development Programme (EDP) where SMEs would be selected from the Obuasi Municipality and Obuasi East District Assembly to improve their capacity to enhance their productivity and efficiency.
These SMEs according to him would be well positioned to enhance their operations to help diversify the economy of Obuasi. This he said would be another avenue where the impact of AGA would be felt aside direct jobs with the mine.
Read: Minister charges National Board for Small Scale Industries to be more innovative to grow SMEs
All these were made known during the official opening of the first ever Obuasi Clients Exhibition and Trade Show held on Tuesday, 19 February 2019 at the Black Park to connect local producers and buyers within Obuasi and beyond.
Bemoaning the over reliance of the community on AngloGold Ashanti, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Obuasi, Mr. Elijah Adansi-Bonah said AGA is putting measures in place to help young men and women who want to venture into agriculture.
Read: Business Development Ministry, Trade Fair to build SMEs capacities
He revealed that some young men are registering various businesses and urged many more to form partnerships so that they are well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that AGA in its second phase brings to Obuasi.
The MCE was full of praise for the Sinapi Aba Trust Fund saying that since 2015 to 2017 they have supported the Obuasi Municipal Assembly to train one hundred and forty-eight (148) young men and women who would be matured to open their own businesses by 2020.
Read: SMEs and Young CEOs Summit 18: Entrepreneurs urged to adopt digitization and develop integrity
He further asked for support to purchase start-up kits for them to aid the commencement of their businesses to boost the economy of Obuasi Municipal Assembly and the Obuasi East Assembly.
He encouraged community members to seek further knowledge to build on their skills and enhance the packaging of their end products to make them more competitive. He prayed that this would not be the end but would continue yearly as envisaged to help build a vibrant local economy.
Source: Patience Quaye