For years, residents of Mamiriwa No.1, Mamiriwa No. 2, Abanmu and neighboring communities had to travel several miles to access primary healthcare. Their situation was worsened by the poor condition of the road linking the community to Obuasi township and the nearest health facility.
This challenge caught the attention of the AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Community Trust Fund, a special vehicle created by the mining company to support community development. The Fund responded by constructing a modern Community Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound and nurses’ quarters for Mamiriwa No. 2.
At a short ceremony at Mamiriwa No.2 in the Obuasi West Municipality, the fully furnished facility was handed over to the community.
Built at a cost of about GHS 2.5 million, the facility comprises an Out-Patient Department (OPD), male and female wards, dispensary, records office, Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) unit, antenatal unit, consulting room, dressing room, examination room, labour ward, and lying-in ward.
The facility is expected to provide critical services such as health education, lifestyle counseling, family planning, childhood vaccination, as well as basic clinical, antenatal, and delivery services.
Since its establishment in 2012, the AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Community Trust Fund has overseen the implementation of developmental projects in education, health, sanitation, and economic empowerment. Since 2019, AGA has contributed $2 per ounce of gold produced to the Fund.
A milestone for healthcare delivery
Board Chairman of the Trust Fund, Mr. Kwabena Bempong Marfo, described the project as a major milestone in extending healthcare services to AngloGold Ashanti’s host communities.
“The CHPS compound will ensure that Mamiriwa No. 2 and its surrounding areas receive timely healthcare. In addition, the provision of housing for health workers will enable them to deliver quality services without difficulty,” he said.
He emphasized that the facility forms part of the Fund’s wider investments in skills development, education, water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Commendations from Local Government
Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Obuasi, Hon. Faustilove Appiah Kannin, commended the Trust Fund for investing massively in infrastructure and youth skills development. She highlighted the importance of private sector involvement in development, stressing that it creates space for government to channel resources to other priority sectors.
She further pledged the Assembly’s commitment to rehabilitate the road linking Mamiriwa No. 2 to the rest of Obuasi.
A sigh of relief for residents
Residents of Mamiriwa No. 2 expressed gratitude for the new facility.
“We have suffered for years due to the absence of a health facility in this area. We had to travel long distances to Kunka and the Obuasi Government Hospital to seek medical care, which was very difficult, especially with children. We thank the Trust Fund for this timely intervention,” said Barikisu Salam, a resident.
AngloGold Ashanti’s contributions
Since 2019, AngloGold Ashanti has contributed a total of GHS 22,787,550.64 to the Obuasi Community Trust Fund. These funds have supported impactful projects in health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education, and youth skills development. Each initiative reflects AGA’s belief that community development must remain an integral part of its business growth.