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AngloGold Ashanti (Iduapriem) Limited, which operates the Iduapriem Mine, has offered more than 100 jobs to people in host communities since the beginning of the year, following the implementation of its Community Employment Procedure.
Highlighting the drive to hire members of the host communities at Iduapriem's annual Thanksgiving Service, Mr Jasper Musadaidzwa, the Managing Director of the operation, said it had already hired 116 people as part of its Community Employment Procedure.
AngloGold Ashanti recognises how important jobs are to the community and has been working with the Community Employment Committee to co-ordinate and ensure fairness and transparency in community employment processes.
To-date, 90 percent of those employed are in the unskilled job category; 112 are men and 4 women.
Speaking at the 17th Annual Non-Denominational Thanksgiving Service, Mr Musadaidzwa, said Iduapriem was working collaboratively with stakeholders and business partners to address both the gender and skills gaps that has been identified in employment in the host communities.
He said the Mine, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture of the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly, had also piloted a Vegetable Cooperative and Piggery Project last year in support of the Government of Ghana's Planting for Food and Jobs initiative.
These initiatives have provided economic opportunities for about 30 households in host communities and work is underway to expand the projects.
Referring to one of the company's goals, Mr Musadaidzwa said: "It would be gratifying if we could get to a point in the near future where the communities will provide testimony that, indeed, they are better off for AngloGold Ashanti having been here".
Mr Sulemanu Koney, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, commended AngloGold Ashanti for being a trusted partner and significant contributor to the advancement of the mining industry in Ghana.
He expressed the hope that the Iduapriem Mine will continue to chalk up several other successes and help the industry to grow.
"I urge you to continue introducing innovative programmes and social interventions to make your host communities much better off than when AngloGold Ashanti met them," Mr Koney said.
The celebration was attended by several personalities, including the Member of Parliament and Municipal Chief Executive for Tarkwa Nsuaem, representative of the Western Regional Minister, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, the clergy, traditional authorities, among other distinguished personalities.
The service was on the theme "...make known among the nations what He has done" (Isaiah 12:4 NIV), with Apostle John Appiah Aidoo, Area Head, of the Church of Pentecost, Tarkwa, delivering the sermon.
The occasion was also used to launch the 15-year anniversary celebration of AngloGold Ashanti Limited's merger with Ashanti Goldfields Limited.
