By Yussif Ibrahim
Dompoase (Ash), April 23, GNA – Nana Bosompem Kitikyi Apenteng II, Krontihene of Dompoase in the Ashanti region, has commended AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, for its impactful youth development initiatives targeted at building the capacity of young people in Obuasi.
The mining company launched a comprehensive 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) in July 2022, with a strong focus on skills development interventions to equip the youth with practical skills and prepare them for the job market.
As part of this plan, in March 2025, AngloGold Ashanti graduated 127 youth who successfully completed intensive training in welding and fabrication, as well as electrical and electronic engineering.
These graduates were provided with start-up kits to help them launch their own businesses or begin careers in their respective fields.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of another cohort of 100 youth trained over a year in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and welding and fabrication, Nana Bosompem Kitikyi Apenteng II emphasised that building the human capital of the youth was key to transforming Obuasi’s local economy.
He noted that such initiatives enable the youth to gain employment within the mining sector or establish their own enterprises.
He urged the graduates to take the skills they had acquired seriously, encouraging them to either seek employment with AngloGold Ashanti or venture into entrepreneurship.
Mr Edmund Oduro Agyei, Community Relations Manager at AngloGold Ashanti, congratulated the graduates and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to mining that empowers people and advances communities.
He expressed his delight that all 100 graduates were selected from Mine’s 62 host communities.
Mr. Agyei extended his gratitude to the families of the apprentices for their support and emphasised that AngloGold Ashanti was devoted not only to responsible mining but also to community development.
“The Youth Apprenticeship Programme was designed to give young people real, hands-on skills that can open doors in the mining, oil and gas, and other industries,” he said.
Since 2019, the programme has trained over 600 young people many of whom have secured jobs with AngloGold Ashanti, its contractors, or other companies both within and outside Obuasi.”
In addition to technical training, the programme also focuses on personal development, instilling confidence, responsibility, and valuable professional networks in its participants.
To promote gender inclusion, Mr. Agyei also announced an upcoming all-female apprenticeship programme under the SEDP.
This new initiative aims to increase the participation of women in technical and mining-related fields.
He expressed gratitude to the trainers, community leaders, and traditional authorities for their unwavering support in shaping the future of Obuasi’s youth.
One of the proud graduates, Joseph Opoku, shared how the Youth Apprenticeship Programme changed his life.
He highlighted the difference between traditional schooling, which focuses on theory, and the hands-on experience offered by the programme, which prepared him for real-world challenges.
He encouraged other young people in Obuasi to take advantage of the programme, stressing that it offers invaluable opportunities for personal and professional growth.
GNA
KOM/AD