Traditional authorities grant approval for AngloGold Ashanti’s classroom block project at Anyinam

Nana Achiaa Konadu Yiadom, the Queen mother of the Abadwum Traditional area in the Ashanti Region, has stated that traditional authorities in Abadwum, with jurisdiction over Anyinam, have granted their blessings to AngloGold Ashanti Ghana’s Obuasi Mine to proceed with the construction of a modern 24-unit classroom block for the community.

This announcement follows a prior disagreement by some disgruntled youth in Anyinam, who had previously objected to the construction of the project at the proposed site during a press conference held on Monday, 2nd October, 2023.

However, in a meeting with the people of Anyinam, the queen mother confirmed that the Abadumhene, Nana Amoako Tuffour I, and the traditional authorities have granted their approval for the project to commence.

She emphasized that there are no legitimate reasons for the authorities to oppose the construction of the 24-unit classroom block, which would be the first of its kind in the Obuasi Municipality.

“As development-oriented people, we cannot stand idly by and allow AGA to relocate this project to another community. I appeal to the youth to exercise patience while the authorities find an appropriate platform to address their grievances. For now, the project must proceed.”

Nana Achiaa Konadu Yiadom also called for unity among residents of the Anyinam community. According to her, issues such as unemployment and other challenges facing the community can be addressed when they unite behind their leaders to pursue common goals.

The local Assembly member for the area, Richard Cudjoe, who has been advocating for the construction of the project, expressed immense relief at the Queen mother’s intervention. He emphasized that the Anyinam community has been lagging behind in terms of development and would not stand idly by while the community is deprived of the school project.

Background

AngloGold Ashanti, as part of its 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan, has outlined various educational intervention programs, including the construction of educational infrastructure in its operational areas. In line with this plan, the company has decided to demolish both the Anyinam Methodist ‘A’ and ‘B’ schools and construct a 24-unit classroom block on the site of the Methodist ‘A’ school, near the Kwesi Mensah Shaft.

However, some members of the community expressed their dissatisfaction with the proposed site, citing the small size of the land, which they believe cannot accommodate the 24-unit classroom block as well as a football pitch and volleyball court. These facilities were available in the Methodist ‘B’ school, which has been earmarked for demolition.

According to Eric Amaning, they cannot understand why AGA wants to demolish the school that sat on a 14-acre land with a football pitch and volleyball court to construct a new structure on a 3-acre land.

Source: Sampson Manu