By Nicholas Osei-Wusu
A section of residents of the Ashanti regional mining town of Obuasi on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, went on a street protest in their pursuit of part of the Anglogold Ashanti mining concession to enable them to earn income for a decent living.
The organizers, calling themselves Community Miners of Obuasi, led the demonstrators, mainly members of the group, from Tutukwa, a suburb of the town through some of the principal streets of the Obuasi township.
They wielded placards with various inscriptions communicating their concerns to members of the public and other stakeholders some of which read ‘We are Sick and Tired of Joblessness’.
The demonstrators, wearing the traditional red and black mourning attire with bands around their arms and heads to signify the seriousness they attach to their concerns, paraded the streets amidst brass band music under heavy police guard.
They presented copies of their written Petition to President Akufo-Addo through the Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive, District Chief Executive, as well as management of Anglogold Ashanti through Mr. Baidoo, the Sustainability Manager.
Their request is basically that, Anglogold Ashanti should allow the youth of Obuasi, most of who were illegal miners to go back to mine the company’s abandoned concession.
They are also demanding of the mining giant to employ more of the youth of Obuasi to enable them to live decent economic lives.
The Secretary to the Community Miners of Obuasi, Francis Anto, speaking to Correspondent Nicholas Osei-Wusu afterward, noted that the members have been jobless since they were driven away from the abandoned mine of Anglogold Ashanti where they use to earn their income for decent living.
Mr. Anto noted that after presenting their petition to the District Chief Executive, a Member of Parliament, and the management of Anglogold, the demonstrating youth can only hope of a positive response to their plea for peace to prevail in the Municipality.
