As part of its commitment to making local communities where it operates better-off for its being there, AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) has donated a cyber café and e-learning centre to the people of Obuasi. The brand-new centre is located in the Obuasi Municipal Library compound.
It is designed to help students in Obuasi further their studies and successfully build networks around the world. It will help local entrepreneurs to expand their businesses, finding customers and suppliers in other regions or internationally.
“The cyber café and e-learning centre is one of several projects that result from the strong collaboration between AGA, the local assembly and the community,†said John Alexander Ackon, Chief Executive Officer, Obuasi Municipality, at the opening ceremony. “Many members of the local community still do not have access to computers or reliable Internet services, which is critical to development. We are delighted that AGA is enabling the community to benefit from technology,†he continued.
“In mining, we see the huge role that technology plays every day. It drives innovation. It helps us to reduce and manage our environmental impact. It improves our efficiency and performance across all of our operations.
Technology is transforming the way that we operate at Obuasi,†explained Kwesi Enyan, Managing Director, Obuasi Mine, AGA. “We are excited to be able to share our enthusiasm for technology; this is proof of the critical role we believe that it has to play in social and economic development.â€
AGA research shows that for a population of 240, 000, Obuasi Municipality had 24 Internet cafes in 2009. Today, there are only 6 functional cyber-cafes. Yet, demand for, and the number of people needing Internet access has increased hugely. Research shows that 70% of local Internet users are school pupils and students. The rest are mainly business people including traders, start-up investors and sole proprietors.
In response to this need, AGA created its first cyber-café and e-Learning centre in Ghana -- in Obuasi. AGA will begin educational activities with the distribution of Internet “Dos and DON’Ts†to the main beneficiaries.
The company is exploring how to work with the municipality to set up computer and Internet clubs in the local schools, continuing the company’s significant investment in technology for education. AGA has plans to open further cyber-cafes and e-learning centres in Obuasi and Iduapriem.
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