Obuasi Community Trust Fund inaugurated

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THE ASHANTI Regional Minster, Mr. Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, has stressed the need for mining companies to put in place structures that would ensure that when their operations came to an end, the socio-economic life of the areas they mined would not be disturbed.

In a speech read for him by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Obuasi, Mr. Michael Edward, at the official inauguration of the AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Community Trust Fund on Tuesday, he noted, “it is particularly instructive for us to recognise that every mine has a definite life span. No mine has perpetual existence.

“It is therefore useful for mining communities, while they are in active operations, to put in place structures that will ensure that when the mine is dead, the socio-economic life of the city is not disturbed.”

The inauguration of the fund was part of agreement signed between government and the company. In the Stability Agreement between the two, the company is expected to invest one per cent of its profits in the development of Obuasi.

The occasion also witnessed the inauguration of a 13-member steering committee of the Trust Fund.

Mr. Owusu Ansah said that there were many towns in Ghana, which had become ghost towns with the collapse of such mining companies, adding, “I do not think that this is what we want to see in Obuasi.

“While the mine is still active, we need to start thinking about what to do with your housing stock of 2,500 houses, your guest houses and club houses, as this for me is the challenge companies and the Obuasi municipality face.”

He advised the steering committee to ensure that the Fund was used for communities that had been heavily affected by the mining operations.

Ms. Joyce Aryee, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, said the inauguration of the Trust Fund was a clear indication of how the company was committed to its social responsibilities.

“Though the company is yet to record a profit, it has demonstrated how committed it is towards the welfare of the people of Obuasi.”

He appealed to the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Obuasi, Mr. Owusu Gyamerah, to liaise with the management of AGA to ensure proper planning of Obuasi.

“Obuasi needs to be well planned to befit its status and I am looking forward to see Obuasi declared as a city”.

Mr. Owusu Gyamerah said the assembly had over the couple of years enjoyed a very fruitful relationship with AngloGold Ashanti, especially with the assumption of duty of Mr. John Miller as the Managing Director.

He said the institution of monthly consultative meetings between the two, had enhanced the cross-fertilisation of ideas, while the company's community meetings had brought the communities closer to the fortunes of Anglo Gold.

Mr. Gyamerah noted that the Fund should not be used be used to meet the responsibilities of the company, adding that, “there are a number of development projects being undertaken by AGA, and I do not expect that with the launch of this Fund, AGA will transfer the funding of these programmes to the Trust Fund. I see this trust fund as supplementing AngloGold Ashanti's efforts in this direction, but not to supplement it.”

He, therefore, appealed to all those whose activities tend to impede the company's operations, to stop, since the success of the fund depended largely on the company's profitability.

Mr. John Miller also disclosed that an initial funding of $250,000 had been held in an account for use, and that it would be making additional contributions in the future.

The 13-member steering committee included Messrs Owusu Gyamerah, Francis Attah Agyapong, Amo Mensah, Benjamin Annan, John Miller and Aboagye Ohene Adu. The rest are Madam Felicia Nuamah, Nana Guahyia Ababio, Nana Asirifi Asare II, Nana Aboagye Agyeman, Hon. Kwabena Appiah-Pinkrah, Hon. Akwasi Gyamfi and Hon. Michael Edward Ennin.