AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has commissioned two health centres worth nearly GH¢6.8 million in the Ashanti Region, expanding access to primary healthcare for thousands of residents as part of its long-term community development programme.

The Apitikooko Health Centre and Staff Quarters and the Dokyiwa/Binsere Health Centre were officially inaugurated on 9 July under the mining company’s 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP), launched in 2022.

Speaking at the commissioning, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Managing Director Samuel Boakye Pobee said the GHC4.08 million Apitikooko Health Centre would serve communities including Apitikooko, Asratoase, Kankanfrase, Apitiso 1 and Apitiso 2, reducing the need for residents to travel more than 16 kilometres to access medical care.

The GHC2.71 million Dokyiwa/Binsere Health Centre is expected to provide primary healthcare services, including maternal and child health, outpatient care, emergency treatment and other essential medical services.

Pobee said the projects reflect the company’s commitment to improving the quality of life in its host communities.

“Healthcare should not be a privilege but an accessible service for every member of our host communities,” he said.

Pobee said the facilities form part of AngloGold Ashanti’s broader healthcare investments under its 10-year development strategy.

He cited the rehabilitation of the Anyinam Health Centre, the ongoing construction of the Akaporiso Model Health Centre and quarterly community mini-clinics, which he said have screened and treated more than 19,000 residents.

A representative of the Ashanti Regional Minister said the projects demonstrated how corporate social responsibility should address the development priorities of host communities.

“I am particularly delighted that these facilities have been delivered under AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine’s 10-year socio-economic development plan,” the representative said.

“This long-term vision demonstrates that sustainable mining must extend beyond mineral extraction. Corporate social responsibility is meaningful when it addresses the genuine needs of communities.”

Ashanti Regional Director of Health, Dr. Fred Adomako-Boateng, said the new facilities would support Ghana’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030.

“We believe that by 2030 everybody will have access to quality healthcare services without suffering financial hardship,” he said.

He urged residents to enrol in the National Health Insurance Scheme and said the Ghana Health Service would deploy the required health professionals to operationalise the facilities.