The Queen mother of Abadwum Traditional area in the Ashanti Region, Nana Achiaa Konadu Yiadom, has said traditional authorities at Abadwum who have jurisdictional responsibility over Anyinam have given their blessings to AngloGold Ashanti Ghana, Obuasi Mine to proceed with the construction of a modern 24-unit classroom block for the community.
Contrary to earlier disagreement by some disgruntled Anyinam youth, who in a press conference held on Monday, October 2 objected to the construction of the project at the proposed site, the Queen mother in a meeting with the people of Anyinam said the Abadumhene Nana Amoako Tuffour I together with the traditional authorities has given their approval for the project to start.
She stated that the authorities have no legitimate reasons to opt against the construction of the 24-unit classroom block which will be the first of its kind in the Obuasi municipality.
“As development-oriented people, we can’t sit aloof and allow AGA to send this project to another community. I appeal to the youth to exercise patience whiles authorities find appropriate platform to address their grievances, but for now the project must go on.”
Nana Achiaa Konadu Yiadom seized the opportunity to call for unity among residents of the Anyinam community.
According to her, issues of unemployment and other pertinent issues facing the community can be addressed when they are united behind their leaders to pursue a common cause.
The Assembly member for the area, Richard Cudjoe, who has been championing for the construction of the project, said the intervention from the Queenmother serves as a huge relief to him.
He said the Anyinam community has been lagging behind in terms of development hence will not look on for the community to be deprived of the school project.
Background
AngloGold Ashanti has in its 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan lined up a plethora of educational intervention programmes, including the building of educational infrastructure in its operational area.
In line with this, the company has decided to demolish both the Anyinam Methodist ‘A’ and ‘B’ schools and put up a magnificent 24-unit classroom block at the site of the Methodist ‘A’ school near the Kwesi Mensah Shaft.
However, some members of the community have expressed their displeasure over the proposed site, citing the small size of land which they say cannot accommodate the 24-unit classroom block as well as football pitch and volleyball court which were available in the Methodist B school which has been earmarked for demolition.
According to Eric Amaning, they cannot fathom why AGA wants to demolish the school which was sitting on a 14-acre land with a football pitch and volleyball court to put up a new structure on a 3-acre land.