Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Major General Bismark Kwasi Onwona has led the sod cutting ceremony for an AngloGold Ashanti sponsored Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Obuasi on Monday 26 February, 2024.

The 350-unit accommodation estimated to cost Six Million US Dollars ($6 million dollars) would be constructed by Argate Contractors Limited and Intermove Company Limited and completed within 24 months under the supervision of the Directorate of Engineer Service in Burma Camp.

Speaking at the ceremony, Major General Onwona acknowledged AngloGold Ashanti as a national asset and said disruptions in its operations would have negative effects on the socio-political and economic security of the country hence the need for the construction of a military base in Obuasi to help reduce the activities of illegal mining.

The COAS noted that opening a Forward Operating Base at Obuasi fits into the strategy of Ghana Army to expand its frontiers across the country. He disclosed that several other FOBs would be built mainly along the northern frontiers to position Ghana Army to deliver on its constitutional mandate.

He commended AngloGold Ashanti for pushing the project as part of its corporate social responsibility and urged other corporate bodies to emulate the gesture.

The Acting Managing Director of Anglo Gold Ashanti, Mr Awie Frey the initiative would help reduced activities of illegal mining and the destruction caused to the environment and it associated risk factors.

He mentioned that, AGA collaboration with personnel of the Ghana Army and other sister security agencies has mitigated the increasing aggression of armed illegal miners and its associated criminal activities which he said were some of their major operational challenges.

He thanked the Military High Command, Soldiers and the Ghana Police Service for ensuring safety and security of AGA employees, community and assets.