The Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi is worried over the negative impact of mining on Obuasi and its environs. Alexander Ackon says Obuasi has suffered lots of setback, particularly, the collapse of local and indigenous trading activities, bringing in its trail high rate of unemployment.
Mr. Ackon says AngloGold Ashanti which used to employ 15,000 people to feed 75, 000 dependants now manages only four thousand 500 employees with beneficiary families of 22 thousand. He fears more people employed in the mining sector could soon be on their way out to worsen the unemployment rate, adding that, the picture of unemployment is different from that of other places.
Lands taken over by mining has also affected agriculture compelling unemployed youth to resort to illegal mining popularly known as galamsey for survival. He said though efforts had been made in previous years to secure galamsey miners portions of land out of concession of mining giant Anglo Gold Ashanti to operate, that has fallen on deaf ears. Mr. Ackon advises the people of Obuasi to explore alternative means of livelihood instead of relying on mining.
He blames mining for the collapse of local economy where almost everything is traded in nearby Kumasi from food stuffs to textiles. Mr. Ackon says he will encourage private businessmen and investors to invest in job creation ventures in efforts to revive local economy while efforts are made improve informal trading activities.
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