Management of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has met the Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, Ing. Samuel Boakye Pobee, to thank the company for its continued support to the University and to discuss areas for further collaboration.

The meeting took place ahead of the launch of the AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Community Scholarship, which is set to support students in line with the company’s ten-year Socio-Economic Development Plan.

The KNUST delegation was led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mrs Rita Akosua Dickson. Other members included the University Registrar, Mr Benjamin Boampong Owusu; Deputy Registrar at the Obuasi Campus, Mr Daniel Kumi-Djan; Dean of the Obuasi Campus, Professor Lawrence Darkwah; Deputy Finance Officer, Mr Abdulai Suglo; Senior Assistant Registrar, Mr David Twumasi Ankrah; Director of the KNUST E-Learning Centre, Professor Emmanuel Kofi Akowuah; and Senior Assistant Registrar at the E-Learning Centre, Abigail Dzama Anderson.

Professor Dickson expressed appreciation for AngloGold Ashanti’s long-standing support, especially its role in establishing and maintaining the Obuasi Campus.

“From day one, you haven’t left us. Before I say anything else, I want to say thank you very much,” she said.

She added that the partnership continues to shape the growth of the campus, noting that student numbers have risen since KNUST took over the premises in 2019.

The Vice Chancellor also outlined the University’s immediate priorities, including infrastructure expansion and laboratory development.

She noted the need for more lecture spaces and the upgrading of engineering laboratories to match standards on the Kumasi campus, adding that the growing student population requires improved facilities.

Ing. Pobee welcomed the concerns and affirmed the company’s commitment to the partnership.

He explained that support for KNUST aligns with AngloGold Ashanti’s long-term development strategy for Obuasi.

“We are in this together. It’s part of our strategy,” he said.

He added that the presence of the Obuasi Campus helps diversify economic activity in the town.

He also noted the company’s interest in strengthening technical and semi-skilled training.

According to him, the mine has ongoing discussions on how best to align skills development with industry needs.

“We need to prepare that area for people to come. Our bottleneck is the semi-skilled,” he said.

The E-Learning Centre also featured in the discussions.

Director of the KNUST E-Learning Centre, Professor Emmanuel Kofi Akowuah indicated that the Centre can support capacity building and Continuous Professional Development for AngloGold Ashanti staff through digital learning tools.

Both teams agreed to continue joint engagements through an existing committee that meets quarterly to assess progress and plan new projects.

AngloGold Ashanti representatives noted that future support would be guided by business needs and the company’s Socio-Economic Development Plan.

Ing. Pobee encouraged KNUST to link all future requests to the impact they will have on Obuasi.