The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has praised the president, Nana Addo for reopening Anglo Gold Ashanti after it was shut down in 2014.
Speaking at the reopening ceremony the Asantehene said:
“It is both an occasion of happiness and sadness that we are gathered here to re-open the Obuasi mines…
“I was told four or five years ago by the investors that the Obuasi mine was no longer viable. I was also told that ‘galamsey men’ [illegal miners] were moving towards the Adanse shaft and it has led to a flood in the area.’
“I talked to the government of the day and told them to send soldier there but they told they would not let soldiers go there and shoot people as it happened in South Africa.”
“So should I let it collapse?”, he said.
“At a point in time, I told them to give part of the land to the galamseyers so that they do not go to where the mine is because I knew one day it will work again yet it did not work.”
“I was even told they are ready to sell the mine and give me just $1. I told them I was going to wait until a good time in the future.”
“Now I am happy Akufo-Addo’s government has made this reopening possible,” he added.
Opemsuo also charged Anglo Gold not to forget their social responsibilities and charged them to invest in the area and also reminded Ghanaians of how the mine has helped the country.
source: Nana Asabere
