Asantehene calls on AngloGold-Ashanti to develop Obuasi

Kumasi, Feb. 20, GNA - Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, on Wednesday urged management of AngloGold-Ashanti to evolve pragmatic measures to support the total development of the Obuasi Municipality to an appreciable standard.

He said the municipality had for very long time remained a strategic community in the operations of the mining company and expressed regret at the slow pace of development in the area, especially in terms of social amenities, education, health and employment. Otumfuo Osei Tutu said this when Mr. Christian Rampa Luhemwe, Vice President of AngloGold-Ashanti West Africa, paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi. He said it was regrettable that since the merger of Ashanti Goldfields and AngloGold two years ago, illegal mining operations had increased at Obuasi and called for strategic measures to curb it. The Asantehene stressed the need for the management of the company to establish cordial working relationship with catchments communities so as to contribute effectively to their development needs. Mr. Luhemwe thanked Otumfuo Osei Tutu for his continued support for the company and said his outfit had stepped up plans to increase their production to 400,000 fine ounces of gold per annum.