The AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Mine emerged winners of the 2025 Zone III Inter-Mines First Aid and Safety Competition, held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the AGA School Park in Obuasi. The competition, organized under the auspices of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, in collaboration with the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission and St. John Ambulance, Ghana, brought together five leading mining companies and their community teams to showcase first aid and safety skills.
This year’s competition was held under the theme “Every Moment is an Ambush. Think Safety at All Times.”
Managing Director’s Remarks
The welcome address from the Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, Ing. Samuel Pobee, was delivered on his behalf by Frederick Kwame Ofosu-Tenkorang, Senior Manager, Mines at AGA.
In his speech, Mr. Pobee congratulated all contestants for their teamwork, dedication, and passion in demonstrating life-saving skills. He emphasized that safety must go beyond being a protocol to become a mindset cultivated by all, both at work and within communities.
“Safety is our first value and is paramount in everything that we do. Through this competition, we aim to reinforce the importance of first aid skills and safety awareness, ensuring that every individual is equipped to respond effectively in emergencies,” he stated.
He commended the five participating teams — AGA Obuasi Mine, AGA Chirano Mine, Perseus Mining, Asanko Gold Mine, and Newmont Ahafo South Mine — for their impressive displays, noting that the event was not just about determining the best mine, but an opportunity to promote a culture of safety across workplaces and communities.
Final Results
At the end of the competition, AGA Obuasi Mine clinched first place, followed by AGA Chirano Mine in second position, Perseus Mines in third, Asanko Gold Mine in fourth, and Newmont Ahafo South Mine in fifth place.
Chamber of Mines CEO Calls for Safety Beyond Mining
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, underscored the need for communities to learn from the rigorous safety measures adopted by mining companies.
He stressed that mining is a risky activity, and companies only proceed when it is safe to do so. He further noted that the competition provides an avenue to monitor how effectively mining firms take safety.
Dr. Ashigbey expressed concern about preventable accidents in Ghana, particularly road crashes. “If over 2,000 people die from road accidents in a country where there is no war, it should be a big worry,” he said. He called for the institutionalization of safety competitions in schools, similar to the National Science and Maths Quiz, to instill safety consciousness in young people.
Advice from the Winning Team
Speaking on behalf of the winning AGA Obuasi team, Douglas Addai advised the public not to rush accident victims immediately to the hospital. Instead, he emphasized the importance of first assessing the victim’s condition by asking questions about where they feel pain and providing basic first aid before transporting them. According to him, this simple step could save countless lives.