On 3rd September 2012, AngloGold Ashanti officially inaugurated the Obuasi Airport — a $4 million facility with a 2-kilometre runway and a modern terminal. While not one of the biggest airports in Ghana, it was a significant investment meant to support the operational needs of the company and provide strategic services.
The airport was designed primarily to:
Facilitate business operations within AngloGold Ashanti Enable swift travel between Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi Support medical emergencies and national security logistics
It is important to clarify that the Obuasi Airport is a private facility, owned and operated by AngloGold Ashanti. It is not open to the public or operated as a commercial airport.
Understanding the Role of AngloGold Ashanti
There is often a public misconception that because the airport exists in Obuasi, it should automatically serve the wider community. But the reality is that AngloGold Ashanti built the airport to meet its own logistical and operational needs.
The company does not owe direct infrastructure development to the township beyond its legal obligations. It already contributes to national development by:
Paying taxes to the Government of Ghana Supporting local and national social intervention programs Offering voluntary support in community matters — such as its involvement in the recent ETS road intervention
These contributions, while impactful, are not mandated by law to cover all aspects of public infrastructure.
Who Is Responsible for Obuasi’s Broader Development?
The responsibility for Obuasi’s public infrastructure and township development lies with the government — local, regional, and national. As taxpayers, it is within our rights to demand clear plans and action from our elected officials and government institutions.
If there is a desire to see the Obuasi Airport expanded into a commercial hub, that conversation must be approached with respectful dialogue and partnership, not demands. The role of the private sector should be viewed as a potential collaborator — not a substitute for public responsibility.
A Call for Clarity and Accountability
We must move away from expecting private companies to fulfill roles meant for government. Instead, our focus should be on:
Demanding transparency and accountability from government institutions Engaging in constructive dialogue with both public and private stakeholders Educating ourselves and others on how development responsibility is shared
Obuasi deserves development — in roads, health, education, and transport. But we must direct our expectations to the right places. Knowing the difference between public obligation and private contribution is the first step toward informed advocacy.
