Some youth in Obuasi and its surrounding communities have embarked on a demonstration on Tuesday (21 June) over what they describe as high rate of unemployment in the municipality.
The demonstrators accused mining giant, AngloGold Ashanti of failing to release lands for them to engage in community mining.
They also claim that the company has failed to employ locals, a situation they say is affecting their livelihoods.
Speaking to the media after presenting a petition, the convenor of the group Francis Anto said the unemployment situation in Obuasi is staggering and a national security threat.
“Many of the youth in Obuasi participated in the community mining training that took place in Tarkwa, and have acquired the certificate, but no concessions to operate on. We are therefore calling on the president to intervene for AngloGold Ashanti to release the abandoned mining sites to the community.
“We promise that both the leaders and the members of the association are prepared to meet all stakeholders to fashion out modalities that shall govern our operations as community miners. We shall undertake to pay taxes and royalties of our activities to the respective government agencies,” Anto said.
Jonathan Ofori
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