The Obuasi Youth Community Mining Association expressed concerns about unemployment, and AngloGold Ashanti Ghana (AGAG) responded with a demonstration.
On Tuesday, a group of angry adolescents took to the streets to express their unhappiness with what they perceived as the area's rising unemployment rate.
The demonstrators, who called themselves Obuasi deserves better, said AngloGold was excluding them from job prospects and demanded that land be made available for community mining.
The protest organisers then petitioned the Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi mine management over the situation.
However, AngloGold stated in a statement that it understands that unemployment is one of the most pervasive socio-economic issues in Ghana and that Obuasi is no exception.
However, it was reported that since the Obuasi Redevelopment Project began in 2019, the corporation has given priority to hiring locals from the Obuasi areas, particularly Adansi and Amansie.
This, according to the statement, was done in a variety of jobs, both temporary and permanent, with the priority status of local communities being formally recognised by a Local Employment Procedure.
"The firm has also made a considerable investment in its host communities, particularly in the areas of education, skills development, health, water and sanitation, infrastructure assistance, and local content, through a three-year Social Management Plan, from 2019 to 2021.
Additionally, AngloGold Ashanti will continue to show its commitment to the development of the Obuasi villages by promoting local economic growth through its 10-year Socio-economic Development Plan starting in 2021.
and fostering connections with the host communities," said the statement.
AngloGold Ashanti said that it makes a $2 donation to the Obuasi Community Trust Fund for every ounce of gold it produces, with the fund's main goal being to finance community initiatives that the communities themselves select.
Regarding the demand for lands, the firm stated that it had recently turned over to the Minerals Commission more than 70% of the original mining lease it had obtained, keeping just those portions necessary for its present and future mining and infrastructure needs.
"A mining lease may only be issued by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. Any land that is included in the mining lease area cannot be released to third parties by AngloGold Ashanti.
The safety of its workers and the host communities, according to AngloGold, is its first priority, and all required safety measures have been taken.