DIVERSIFY OUR LOCAL ECONOMY-ADANSI CHIEFS

The Chiefs and people of the Adansi traditional area in the Ashanti region are calling for a diversification of the local economy to include other potential economic activities in the area. 

This would avert the severity of the socio-economic hardship the people experienced during the shutdown of the Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi Mine and also guarantee sustainable sources of livelihood in the area after the 22 year duration of the rejuvenated mine. 

These suggestions were made when our Correspondent spoke the chiefs and people during the launch of the Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi Mine Re-development Project.

The Obuasi Mine

For about 122 years, gold mining has been the main source of livelihood for the people of Adansi traditional area in the Ashanti region, even though the people undertake other income generating activities such as food and cash crop farming.

 In 2004, the then Ashanti Goldfields was divested to Anglogold Ashanti,  with the Obuasi mine operating on a 201 square kiolmetres or 20 thousand, 100 hectare leased area covering the Obuasi township and 63 communities within the Adansi Traditional area. 

However, as a result of certain key factors that undermined efficiency of the Mine including declined level of production and profitability coupled with encroachment on its legal concession by galamseyers, the mine was largely shut down.

 Consequently, a substantial number of the company’s workforce was retrenched leaving just about 300 of them during the period of care and maintenance. This situation brought serious socio-economic consequences on the people during the period. 

A Rejuvenated Mine 

The re-opening of the Mine for active operations which involves a recruitment of more than two thousand people has therefore been hailed by many people in view of the prospects of creating jobs and reliable livelihood sources. 

All the people whose views were sampled about the importance of the new gold mining project were unanimous that the re-development of the Obuasi Mine gives them hope of better economic circumstances when the company starts main operations.

The Edubiasehemaa, Nana Akua Dwum, was excited that the company has agreed to prioritize indigenes of the Adansi traditional area during recruitment. She however cautioned those to be engaged as workers of the company to shun all negative tendencies that could undermine objectives of the employers.

On his part, the Adansihene, Okopatwere Afriyei Abu Bonsrah, expressed excitement about the eventual rejuvenation of the Obuasi Mine and hoped that Adansiman will see socio-economic development. Okopatwere Afriyie Abu Bonsra however called for a diversification the economy of the traditional area to ensure that the people and communities would have guaranteed sources of livelihood after the 22 year life span of the Mine.

Meanwhile, residents of Obuasi and the adjoining communities have commended government for awarding re-construction of the main Anhwiankwanta-Obuasi link road on contract. 

The road, which provides travelers to and from Obuasi, Kumasi and Dunkwa On-Offin in the Central region, has for some years now, become a major problem for both motorists and commuters as a result of its continuous deterioration thereby prolonging the traveling time. 

This situation compels most motorists now to use the long Asante Bekwai-Adansi Asokwa trunk road to get to Obuasi or vice versa so as to save time and fuel. The project has been awarded to JOSHOP Construction company which has already started the execution.