Obuasi: AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine has inaugurated a cutting-edge Robotic Centre, equipped with the state-of-the-art technology for the Obuasi Municipality and its environs. The facility, valued at GHS8.4 million, which is located on the campus of the Obuasi Senior High Technical School, is designed to serve as a nucleus for innovation and technological advancement for school children and the people in the Adansi enclave.
According to Ghana News Agency, the centre is also intended to provide students with essential resources and opportunities to expand their understanding in artificial intelligence, particularly in the realm of robotics. The centre is anticipated to empower students to excel in the digital era, stimulate the enthusiasm of science-oriented schools within the enclave, and encourage the establishment of robotics clubs to cultivate diverse and innovative thinking.
Mr. Samuel Boakye Pobee, Managing Director of AngloGold Obuasi Mine, speaking at the ceremony, said the company held the conviction that the true wealth of a Mine was not solely contained within the gold beneath the surface, but rather, in the communities' development. He emphasized that in pursuit of the 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP), the company was investing not only in mineral extraction, but also in creating opportunities for its host communities.
Mr. Pobee said as part of a comprehensive educational transformation initiative under the SEDP, the company was dedicated to equipping the schools it had established with cutting-edge technology to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education throughout the municipality. According to him, AngloGold acknowledged the reality that a significant proportion of employment opportunities at the Obuasi Mine were STEM-related, and it was the company's aspiration to inspire the younger generation.
He noted that AngloGold envisioned the formation of robotics clubs in schools across the Obuasi Municipality, aiming to cultivate a new generation of engineers and entrepreneurs. Mrs Faustilove Appiah-Kanin, Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), said STEM served as pivotal instruments in unlocking the latent potential of the youth.
She emphasized that the Robotics Centre transcended mere physical infrastructure and represented a gateway to innovation, creativity, technological advancement, and problem-solving. The MCE acknowledged the municipal assembly's profound appreciation for the steadfast commitment demonstrated by AngloGold towards the development of Obuasi, and urged the company to persist in this commendable endeavours.
She encouraged the students to perceive the centre as both a challenge to expand the horizons of their imagination and an invaluable opportunity to explore, experiment, and excel. Nana Osei Kwame, Amaniehene of Edubiase, who chaired the function, appealed to those entrusted with the management of the facility, to prioritize the culture of maintenance to ensure the long span of the facility. He also urged the students to exhibit discipline and steadfastly pursue their academic aspirations.
