We’ll resist employment of non-indigenes with our lives – Obuasi MCE warns

Elton John Brobbey


Municipal Chief Executive of Obuasi, Richard Ofori-Agyemang Boadi has issued a terrifying warning to AngloGold Ashanti against recruitment of non-indigenes.
AngloGold Ashanti, one of the continent’s biggest mining firms, is preparing to roll out fresh operations in Obuasi, but the MCE said the company will not be allowed to operate unless it employs a significant number of its workforce from the municipality.
The Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive was speaking to journalists from Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania attending an international programme on the extractive industry.
The over 100 year old mine at Obuasi was closed down in December last year with management explaining that the closure will enable them undertake care and maintenance works. The exercise led to massive layoffs.
AngloGold Ashanti and South African-based Randgold Resources Limited have agreed to revamp the mine.
But Obuasi MCE, Richard Ofori-Agyemang Boadi said they will put their lives on the line to force the firm to employ people from Obuasi.
“We, the people of Obuasi, will ensure that every employment is done at the department of labour but not at their offices. This one, we will do it with the last drop of our blood.”
The mine has a deposit of about 60 million ounces of gold with 19 years lifespan.
“We will not negotiate, we will not compromise…and will ensure that those employed are indigenes of Obuasi…with that, we are assured there would be enough disposable income which will then revolve in every economic activity.”
Ofori-Agyemang Boadi explained to Joy News that when the mine was closed down, most of the retrenched workers who were given attractive package left the municipality exposing the firm’s discrimination against indigenes.
However, he noted that whatever action that would be taken by the leadership of the area would be within the laws of the country.
He said there are qualified artisans – plumbers, electricians etc – in Obuasi to work in the mine that is expected to be in operation between February and March next year.
But the Chief Executive of Chamber of Mines Sulemana Koney told Joy News there would be no need for the community to use “brute force” in exercising their right.
 He noted that the practice has always been that indigenes are given advantage over non-indigenes.
 “Such processes are regulated by law… there should not be no difficulty” in implementing the request of the people of Obuasi, he assured.
Meanwhile, a group of frustrated small scale miners’ numbering over 13,000 in Obuasi say military occupation of some concessions of AngloGold leased to them has made life unbearable for them.

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