By AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has graduated and certified 100 youth artisans under its Skills Development and Certification Programme, reinforcing its commitment to empowering people and advancing societies through sustainable community investment.
The six-month intensive training programme provided participants with advanced technical skills in welding and fabrication, general electricals, auto electricals, electronics, auto mechanics, and plumbing.
In addition to technical upskilling, beneficiaries received entrepreneurship training, business management support, safety certification, and start-up toolkits to enable them to immediately establish or expand their enterprises.
The initiative forms part of the company’s 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) and was developed following a comprehensive needs and gap assessment within host communities.
The assessment revealed that while many artisans possessed strong practical skills, the lack of formal certification, business acumen, and regulatory compliance limited their ability to secure competitive contracts and formal employment.
By facilitating certification through recognized regulatory bodies and embedding strong safety standards, the programme promotes professionalism, enhances income-generating potential, and strengthens local enterprise development.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Community Relations Manager of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, Edmund Oduro Agyei, emphasized that the initiative goes beyond certification.
He noted that the programme promotes dignity of labour, responsible business practices, and safety compliance—key pillars necessary for building resilient local economies.
The impact of the programme is already evident. Previous beneficiaries have expanded their operations and created employment opportunities within the municipality, demonstrating how skills development can multiply economic benefits across families and communities.
The graduation of this third cohort underscores AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine’s strategic focus on human capital development as a driver of long-term socio-economic transformation.
The graduates commended AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine for its deliberate efforts to strengthen the human capital base of its host communities.
They pledged to uphold the tenets and professional standards acquired during the training, prioritize safety and ethical practice, and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of their communities.
Through sustained partnerships with traditional authorities, municipal leadership, and institutional stakeholders, the company continues to invest in initiatives that build capacity, promote entrepreneurship, and create shared value for its host communities.
