Minister Commends Obuasi For Initiating More Projects

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Samuel Sarpong commended the Obuasi Municipal Assembly for its efforts at bringing development to the municipality. He expressed satisfaction with the assembly�s commitment to initiate a programme that would see to the provision of at least a project at each of the assembly�s electoral area. Dr Sarpong said this when he inspected a number of development projects being carried out by the Assembly at the cost of over �4,875,387.57. The projects include the construction of a circuit court building, extension of electricity to artisan�s industrial site, construction of a four - kilometer road to the artisan�s site, and the construction of a new Obuasi Divisional Police Headquarters. Other projects include the re-development of the Obuasi Lorry Park into a modern transport terminal and the completion of Kunka Health Centre. The police headquarters would be funded by a security fund initiated by the assembly, whilst the other projects would be financed by the urban development grant as well as build-operate-transfer (BOT) arrangement. The Regional Minister who earlier visited AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine noted that any unexpected occurrence in the fortunes of the mine would invariable affect the social and economic conditions of Obuasi and its people. He therefore urged that the assembly members to sensitize their communities on the need to coperate with all the stakeholders to transform the mine and the local economy. Dr. Sarpong commended the assembly for teaming up with other agencies to identify and provide alternative sources of income for workers who would be affected by the company�s amendment programme. Mr. Fred Attakumah, the Managing Director of the Obuasi Mine said security of the mine was critical to the management and therefore called for more support from the government.