AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine, has constructed and donated a 200-bed dormitory accommodation worth $200,000 to the Ghana Army’s Peace Operations Training School (APOTS) at the Battle Training Camp (BTC) in Bundase.
The facility aims to ease accommodation challenges faced by the school, which plays a crucial role in preparing troops for international peacekeeping missions.
APOTS, established in 2021, is tasked with planning, organizing, and conducting training for units of the Ghana Army selected for deployment on international peace support operations.
The school earned a United Nations Training Recognition Certificate in February 2023, placing it on par with other UN-accredited training institutions worldwide.
The idea for the project began on July 18, 2022, when the Army Headquarters approached AngloGold Ashanti for sponsorship to improve accommodation infrastructure. Just a week later, on July 25, 2022, AngloGold agreed to fund the initiative as part of its corporate social responsibility.
Construction officially commenced on December 20, 2022, with Messrs Geoplus Ghana Limited overseeing the project.
The new dormitory, named the AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Block, is a two-story building divided into four dormitories, each accommodating 50 people.
Two dormitories are located on the ground floor, and two on the first floor, with each section featuring its own washroom facilities.
In his welcome remarks, Commander of APOTS, Colonel Reuben Dela Klutse, highlighted the dormitory’s significance, stating that it would not only house officers undergoing Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) but also accommodate other training schools conducting field exercises at BTC.
He praised the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Bismarck Kwasi Onwona, for his ongoing support, which includes furnishing the first phase of the APOTS Office Complex, providing internet access, and securing funds to improve electricity supply at the camp.
Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi, Mr. Samuel Pobee, emphasized the company’s commitment to community welfare, noting that while AngloGold’s core purpose is to “empower people and advance societies” through mining, the growing accommodation challenges faced by the military could not be ignored.
He stressed the impact of these challenges on troops’ well-being and readiness, advocating for collective support to enable the military to focus on its core mission of safeguarding the nation.
Mr. Pobee also revealed that AngloGold Ashanti is investing over $6 million to establish a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Obuasi.
The project aims to enhance collaboration between the Ghana Army, AngloGold Ashanti, and local communities, ultimately boosting operational effectiveness.
As part of the day’s events, Lt Gen Onwona commissioned a new block factory set up by APOTS to support ongoing infrastructure development at the BTC.
Additionally, APOTS launched its maiden electronic newsletter, marking a new chapter in its communication efforts.
The event was attended by several senior military officials, including Brigadier General Stephen Woseadzipko Kweku Parbey, Commander of the Army Training Command; Brig Gen Yehuza Salifu, Deputy Chief Staff Officer, Policy & Plans, Army Headquarters; Col Owusu Brobbey, Chief G3, Peace Support Operations; Col William Kwesi Ohemeng, Army Secretary; and Col Albert Benjamin Tekyi, Chief of Projects & Services.
Also present was Mr. Desmond Banahene, Senior Manager for Security and Human Rights at AngloGold Ashanti.
