AGA Obuasi Mine Holds Empowerment Summit For National Service Personnel

The National Service Authority (NSA), in collaboration with AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine, has organised an Empowerment Summit to empower people and advance societies.

Mr Daniel Arthur Bentum, Superintendent for Economic Development at AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine, said the summit forms part of its broader youth employment initiatives under its 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan.

Regional Minister poses with AGA and NSS officials

He said AGA seeks to strengthen skills, improve employability, encourage entrepreneurship and expand access to opportunities through the long-term approach. He noted that it is in keeping with that commitment that they jointly organised the summit with the Ashanti Regional National Service Secretariat to help respond to an important question posed by the theme: “What next after service?”.

He said for some, the answer may be employment; for others, it may be further education, professional training, entrepreneurship or a different career path. He said some personnel may already have a plan, while others are still figuring things out, adding that whatever one’s situation, one must remember that uncertainty is not a weakness; it is a normal part of beginning a professional journey.

He advised graduates to possess character, competence and hard work, noting that with those three attributes, employment and opportunities would follow. Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister, commended AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine, for supporting the National Service Secretariat to organise the programme aimed at inculcating in personnel the spirit of servicing one’s country.

He told the personnel to look at their service as a preparatory period that exposes them to the reality of the world of work. He said it is important to know what is out there for them to be able to adjust themselves and urged service personnel to respect authority wherever they find themselves and deliver results even when no one is watching.

A section of National Service personnel

The Minister advised them not to be scared or stop trying because some people have tried and were not able to achieve their goals urging them to break loose from the captivity and that they should always stay within what they learnt in school and consider the environment they find themselves.

He added that one may get a job that does not meet one’s expectations, but social capital, which is often underestimated, may lead one to where one aspires to be in the future.

According to him, Social capital could lead to someone recommending a personnel be it a colleague or a family member.

He noted that Social capital is not only learning from the panellists but it is built on trust, competence and integrity and not arrogance or exploitation.

Dr. Amoakohene said the government will do its part to help mainstream institutions employ the youth to support national development and to ensure that employees are paid on time, rather than having to wait up to fourteen months before being paid.

He entreated them not to allow anyone to put unnecessary pressure on them that it is taking too long to get employment noting that it is not a straitjacket journey and advised them to sit down, plan their life and know what they want to do.

Mr. Emmanuel Reagan Fynn, Ashanti Regional Director of the National Service Secretariat, said the summit was aimed at reducing unemployment among young graduates after their national service and lauded AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine, for the initiative.

He advised the personnel to take advantage of what they learnt at the summit to serve as a turning point in their various career paths and professions in order not to become unemployed graduates after national service.

The NSS Director said they must endeavour to become self-employed or gain employment to improve their lives, support their families and contribute their quota to national development.

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