The one million Ghana cedis (Gh1,000,000) ultra-modern factory, to be financed by AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine, forms part of the company’s commitment to support local communities and create opportunities for economic growth, a key component of their 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan.

At a short sod-cutting ceremony to commence the construction of the project, Yaw Biritwum Opoku, the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine, said the soap factory forms part of several other economic development initiatives implemented by AngloGold Ashanti in the Dokyiwa Community, which was resettled by the company in 2011.

The aim, he pointed out, was to improve the livelihoods of community members, especially women, to address the pressing issue of job creation and improve the income levels of beneficiaries and promote entrepreneurship.

The idea to put up the factory came on the heels of an intermediate-level training in soap making for more than 30 women in Dokyiwa organized by AngloGold Ashanti. The company brought them together and organized them into cooperatives before the training program.

Mr. Biritwum Opoku said, “The selected women have undergone some training in business skills management, financial management, marketing, and packaging; hence, we are optimistic that they will be able to manage the facility and make profits out of it.”

Touching on the significance of the factory project, the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist said the project will also provide indirect jobs for micro-owners that will buy from them indirectly and sell in other market centers. The facility, he said, will provide a reliable source of revenue for palm kernel producers, thereby strengthening the soap value chain in the process.

AngloGold Ashanti has been deliberate in supporting local contractors in Obuasi through training and awards of contracts. The contractor of the soap factory, X-Mell Constructions Limited, an Obuasi-based construction firm, assured that the project will be completed in the 6-month stipulated period in the contract.

Maxwell Amekor, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, assured of quality work done, emphasizing that local artisans will also be employed during the construction processes.

The beneficiaries were full of praise for AngloGold Ashanti for such a bold initiative, which will transform their lives. They were of the view that such opportunities will make them financially independent to be able to support their homes.