A youth group in Obuasi, which goes by the name Appianin/Bonsec Fun Club, has petitioned the President, Nana Akufo-Addo and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to intervene to save AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine from illegal miners. They are said to have started to ply their trade at the company’s underground concession.
Last Sunday the group embarked on a protest through the principal streets of Obuasi, holding placards, some of which inscriptions read: “Save AngloGold and save Ghana”, “we are sick and tired of intruders”, “when AngloGold dies Obuasi also dies” and “Let’s save Obuasi together”.
Speaking to the media after the demonstration, the General Secretary of the group, Anthony Coffie Nature, said the mine was shut down in 2014 due to the invasion of over 10,000 illegal miners from all over Ghana and neighboring countries who vandalised properties, maimed and killed innocent citizens.
He advised that “this should not be allowed to happen again.”
He noted that during the shutdown, Obuasi registered a high rate of armed robbery cases, prostitution and unemployment, and added that it took the intervention of the President, the Asantehene and various stakeholders to revamp the company at a great cost to the nation.
Mr. Coffie maintained that in a spate of two and half years since the new Obuasi Mines commenced operations, residents have witnessed transformation, as the mine has brought back the economic fortunes of Obuasi and its communities.
“We will, therefore, not countenance a situation where a few disgruntled elements in the society will bring the success story of the new mine to zero by their wicked acts,” he said.
“We are, therefore, calling on the President, the Asantehene and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and all stakeholders, to take all necessary steps that will help resolve the matter immediately.
This will help to sustain investors’ confidence and give the needed psychological boost to AngloGold Ashanti to go about normal business in peace,” the General Secretary stressed.
Mr. Kofi Appianin Ennin, Chairman of the Fun Club said as a citizen of Obuasi he and members of the club will do everything within their power to protect the mine from collapsing, pointing out that the mine risks losing investors if the canker is not checked.
From Frederick Danso Abeam, Obuasi
