Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has partnered the AGA-Obuasi Community Trust Fund, National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme for illegal miners (NAELP) and the GIZ- Invest for Jobs Programme to donate start-up kits to all 127 artisans who have undergone various stages of technical and vocational training.
The 127 artisans were trained for free at Mac Partners Training Institute and Enterprise and Skills Development Centre (ESDC) by AngloGold Ashanti and the AGA-Obuasi Trust Fund.
At a colourful ceremony held in Obuasi, the artisans, together with their families, commended AngloGold Ashanti and partners for preparing them to properly take off to become successful entrepreneurs.
The beneficiaries were trained in fashion and design, welding and fabrication, electronics, and electricals.
Speaking at the event, the Community Relations Manager of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, Edmund Oduro Agyei said the Mine through its Development Certification Programme (SDCP) as part of the 10-year SEDP decided to team up with the Trust fund to train the artisans.
He said the programme was informed by a needs-gap analysis conducted amongst artisans in Obuasi as part of the 10-year SEDP development, which revealed that most artisans, including those involved in domestic and commercial electrical installations, auto electricians, auto mechanics, electronics, plumbing works and metal fabricators, lack the requisite certifications to validate the skills they possess.
This situation, he said, prevented such individuals from partaking in competitive/formal contracts and improving their capacity.
Furthermore, the needs-gap analysis revealed that the artisans do not apply effective business management practices, thereby contributing to low levels in their income.
While these artisans have not been certified, they are already working within our communities, a situation that poses community safety risks.
Mr. Oduro commended the GIZ and NAELP for assisting in equipping the artisans with tools to properly set up, stressing that AngloGold Ashanti remained commitment to empower the people within its operational area with the requisite skills to become competitive in the job market and also successful entrepreneurs capable of employing more people.
He charged the graduates to make a positive impact in their communities with the training and tools they have acquired.
The National Coordinator for the National Alternative Employment And Livelihood Program (NAELP), Frank Asare, said NAELP lauded the Obuasi Mine for the Skills Development and Certification Programme, which he said has provided new opportunities and has created pathways that can lead to sustainable livelihoods and economic prosperity.
John Duti, Team Leader of Invest for Jobs at GIZ Ghana, stated: “By enhancing technical skills, improving access to essential resources, and strengthening business management, this initiative supports sustainable employment creation and enterprise growth beyond the mining sector in Obuasi.”
He further emphasized that the completion of these trainings and the provision of essential tools and equipment to artisans and MSMEs are critical steps aimed at fostering long-term economic empowerment.
“With these resources, artisans can now build sustainable livelihoods and make meaningful contributions to their communities,” he added.
“I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude as I stand before you today, holding this certificate and startup kit. I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, GIZ and National Alternative Employment And Livelihood Program(NAELP) for providing me with the opportunity to receive free artisan training”, Hackman Owusu, a trainee, remarked whiles expressing his appreciation to AngloGold Ashanti and partners.
