Airotix Technologies at the weekend emerged the proud winner of the maiden Obuasi Business Innovation Challenge organsed by AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Mine and its partners.
The team took home a cool GHC100,000.00 for the ultimate prize while Oli-Emma Enterprise came second and received GHC50,000.00 with Charcoal Masters placing third to receive GHC30,000.00.
Malynx Special Kelewele came fourth and collected GH20,000.00 while IJoy Engineering came fifth and took home GHC10,000.00.
Mr. Edmund Oduro Agyei, Community Relations Manager of AGA noted that the Innovation Challenge Initiative was born out of a vision to empower the entrepreneurs and innovators who are shaping high-growth potential businesses in Obuasi.
He mentioned that through rigorous coaching, training and vetting, the initial 42 contestants were pruned to 10 outstanding finalists out of which 5 were to be selected and awarded accordingly.
The Community Relations Manager noted that to complement the Innovation Challenge Programme AGA has also implemented the Skills Development and Certification Programme and the Business Acceleration and Sustainability Programme also known as BAST in partnership with Absa Bank Ghana and Master Card Foundation.
“Through these initiatives, we have trained, 1,383 MSMEs with an impressive 53% of the lot being women, showcasing our dedication to inclusivity and empowerment,” he added.
Mr. Kingsley Kwaku Pinkrah, CEO CEDI Ghana commended AngloGold for coming out with the Business Innovation Challenge noting that the Programme is rather a ‘gold mine’ for the youth to exploit and wished the participating teams good luck.
Prof. Stephen Adei, the Lead Judge of the day’s programme, expressed concern over the pollution of River Gyimi as a result of illegal mining activities and said if care is not taken very Obuasi will soon be hit by water sacristy.
To address the unemployment issue among the youth, he suggested the setting up of a big Vocational School in Adansi to train the youth to acquire various skills.
Prof. Adei stated that he had personally acquired a large track of land at his hometown, Hweremoase, near Adansi Asokwa and called for support for the establishment of a Vocational and Technical School for Adansi youth.
From Frederick Danso Abeam, Obuasi
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