The six-month intensive training programme provided participants with advanced technical skills in welding and fabrication, general electricals, auto electricals, electronics, auto mechanics, and plumbing.  

In addition to technical upskilling, beneficiaries received entrepreneurship training, business management support, safety certification, and start-up toolkits to enable them to immediately establish or expand their enterprises. 

The initiative forms part of the company’s 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) and was developed following a comprehensive needs and gap assessment within host communities.  

The assessment revealed that while many artisans possessed strong practical skills, the lack of formal certification, business acumen, and regulatory compliance limited their ability to secure competitive contracts and formal employment. 

By facilitating certification through recognised regulatory bodies and embedding strong safety standards, the programme promotes professionalism, enhances income-generating potential, and strengthens local enterprise development. 

Mr. Edmund Oduro Agyei, Community Relation Officer of AngloGold Obuasi Mine, speaking at the graduation ceremony, emphasised that the initiative goes beyond certification.  

He noted that the programme promoted dignity of labour, responsible business practices, and safety compliance, which were key pillars for building resilient local economies. 

The impact of the programme is already evident as previous beneficiaries have expanded their operations and created employment opportunities within the municipality, demonstrating how skills development could multiply economically benefits across families and communities. 

The graduation of this third cohort underscores AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine’s strategic focus on human capital development as a driver of long-term socio-economic transformation. 

The graduates commended AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine for its deliberate efforts to strengthen the human capital base of its host communities.  

They pledged to uphold the tenets and professional standards acquired during the training, prioritize safety and ethical practice, and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of their communities.