AngloGold Ashanti builds 3-classroom block, teacher quarters… For pupils of Wangara and Badukrom

AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine has built a three unit classroom block and a teachers' quarters to serve the pupils of Wangarakrom and Badukrom Lower Primary School in the Mpohor Wassa West District.

The cost of the project is estimated at $64,000. The project falls within the company's agenda to bring education closer to the communities in its operational area. By this project, AngloGold Ashanti has saved the pupils of the abovementioned communities from trekking a long distance to Adeyie and Trebebie, to attend school.

Currently, there are nineteen students in the Senior High Schools and Technical Schools who are on the Managing Director's scholarship scheme.

Speaking at a short ceremony to inaugurate the school project, the Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine, Mr. David Kwesi Renner, mentioned the company's educational programmes such as the provision of school buildings, teaching materials, scholarships, teacher's incentive packages, and refresher courses for teachers, among others.

According to him, the importance of education could not be underestimated in this time and age, and the lower primary development of the child was indeed crucial for shaping the foundation, for which a child could achieve greater heights in future academic pursuits.

It is for this reason, according to the MD, that AngloGold Ashanti was proud to be associated with bringing education nearer to the children within the communities.

In the company's medium and long term plan, Mr. Kwesi Renner announced that the company hoped to increase the three unit classroom block to six, and help as well to improve the structures of the private Early Childhood Development Centre in Wangarakrom and Badukrom.

The company hopes further to build additional classrooms, to raise the status of the Abompuniso Primary to that of a Junior High School.

On employment, Managing Director Renner told the gathering that during the last year, the company pursued, among other initiatives, a Youth Apprenticeship Programme, which took off with three students, who were sponsored by the company to undertake a three year course in auto mechanics and electricals at the University of Mines and Technology (UMat).

“We are hopeful that a lot more students will be able to pass the entrance examination to pursue various courses at UMat.”

The expectation behind this, according to the MD, was that the company would be able to draw those skills into its organisation.

The company has also attached nine youth to master mechanics, hair dressing saloons and art workshops to acquire employable skills. This apart, the company provided them with tools and kits for their chosen trades.

Responding, the Odikro of Wangarakrom, Nana Kingsly Awudu, commended the company for the gesture, and expressed the hope that the facility would be put to good use.

The Queenmother of the Apinto Traditional Area cut the tape for the commissioning of the three unit classroom block.