Last Updated on December 2, 2025 by Admin
The Obuasi Municipal Assembly has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Technology Consultancy Centre for Innovation, Manufacturing, Technology Transfer and Commercialization Centre (TCC-CIMET) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to rebrand and reposition Obuasi as a modern Gold City with a diversified economic base beyond mining.
The agreement, signed on Wednesday, 19th November 2025 at KNUST, is expected to shift Obuasi’s long-standing dependence on gold mining toward a broader industrial and innovation-driven local economy. It aims to cultivate new economic “gold” from sectors such as agriculture, waste management, education, manufacturing, creative arts, and emerging technologies.
Three Priority Areas Identified by the Assembly
During the signing, the Obuasi Municipal Assembly outlined three priority areas for immediate implementation:
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Revamping the Obuasi Intermediate Technology Transfer Unit (ITTU) – “Obuasi Magazine” Focus will be placed on technical training, innovation support, and capacity enhancement for artisans, mechanics, and fabricators to transform the area into a competitive industrial cluster.
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Capacity Building for Small-Scale Miners
The Assembly seeks to strengthen responsible mining practices through structured training in safety, environmental compliance, operational management, and modern mining techniques.
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Joint Mapping and Restoration of Degraded Lands
Both institutions will collaborate to identify degraded zones and develop sustainable remediation strategies for environmental recovery and future land use planning.
TCC-CIMET Introduces STEAM Education Component
TCC-CIMET added a major educational dimension to the partnership by introducing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics
(STEAM) education into the MoU.
STEAM clubs will be piloted in selected basic schools to expose learners to robotics, automation, mobile application development, human-centred design, and creative arts. If implemented successfully, Obuasi will become one of only five municipalities nationwide to benefit from structured STEAM education. The collaboration also encourages the Assembly to utilise existing facilities such as the Robotics Centre at Obuasi Secondary Technical School and to establish community-based STEAM hubs.
Professor Davis encouraged Obuasi to redefine “Gold” beyond mineral resources to include practical skills such as smart agriculture, carpentry, innovation, poetry, crafts, and technology—a concept intended to help build a richer civic identity beyond mining.
To support this, a dedicated City Branding Team will be developed to guide the crafting of a unique brand identity for the municipality.
Mining Capacity-Building Programme
A significant component of the MoU includes structured training on responsible mining. TCC-CIMET announced that it will leverage its international partnership with St. Petersburg Mining University in Russia to provide technical support and advanced mining education.
The programme aims to improve livelihoods, transform small-scale mining operations, and promote environmentally sustainable practices across the municipality.
Environmental Restoration and the Renabuma Model
In addressing land degradation, both sides discussed strategies aimed at restoring damaged ecosystems. The Renabuma model—which focuses on soil rehabilitation, reforestation, and community involvement—was cited as a potential blueprint for restoring severely degraded lands within Obuasi.
Tourism and Urban Branding Opportunities
Participants also explored Obuasi’s potential as a cultural and industrial tourism destination.
Recommendations included:
Developing heritage attractions such as historical mining shafts and ramps
Improving waste management and sanitation systems
Enhancing urban aesthetics to support tourism and investor confidence
A core component of the branding strategy is the concept of “Gold City”, where Obuasi positions itself as the home of multiple forms of “gold”:
Blue Gold – clean water
Brown Gold – fertile soil
Green Gold – agriculture
The MoU was signed by Hon. Faustilove Appiah Kannin, Municipal Chief Executive, and witnessed by the Municipal Coordinating Director, Madam Joyce Akosua Angmorteh.
On the KNUST side, the agreement was signed by Vice Chancellor Professor Rita Akosua Dickson and the Director of TCC-CIMET Professor Francis Kofi Davis.
Present at the meeting from the KNUST side were Prof. Alexander Boakye Manful, Mr. Paul Pinaman Adade, and Ms. Rhoda Dufie Dwobeng. The Obuasi side had the following, Madam Joyce Akosua Angmortey, Yahaya Zakania Prince Owusu Agyemang, Henry Yeboah Sam Joseph, Ernest Kofi Offen,
As a show of appreciation, the Obuasi team presented a copy of their monthly journal, “Obuasi This Month” which has a story on the partnership published in it to KNUST.
Implementation work is expected to begin shortly, with the Obuasi Technical Committee—led by Municipal Planning Officer Mr. Prince Agyemang, Esq.—tasked with assembling the working teams to operationalise the agreement.
Story by : Ernest Kofi Offen /ISD/OMA
