The Paramount Chief of the Manso Nkwanta Traditional Area, Nana Bi-Kusi Appiah, has commended Asanko Gold Mines Limited for hosting the 2025 edition of the National Inter-Mines First Aid and Safety Competition, describing the event as a remarkable initiative that promotes safety awareness and strengthens the bond between the mining industry and local communities.
The prestigious annual competition, organized by the Ghana Chamber of Mines, took place at the Asanko Mine site in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region. It brought together teams from leading large-scale mining companies across Ghana to demonstrate their preparedness, knowledge, and ability to respond swiftly and effectively to real-life emergency situations.
This year’s competition was held under the theme, “Every Moment is an Ambush, Think Safety All the Time,” emphasizing the need for constant vigilance, safety consciousness, and preventive measures both at the workplace and in daily life.
Participating mining firms included Asanko Gold Mines Limited, Golden Star Wassa, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi, AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem, Abosso Goldfields Damang, and the Ghana Manganese Company Limited. Each company presented both staff and community teams to compete in practical first aid demonstrations, safety drills, and emergency response simulations.
In the community teams category, Asanko Gold Mines Limited emerged as the overall winner with an impressive score of 98 percent, outperforming Abosso Goldfields Damang (89 percent), AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi (85.5 percent), and the Ghana Manganese Company (27 percent). In the staff category, Golden Star Wassa took the lead with 59 percent, followed closely by Asanko Gold Mines with 58.5 percent, while AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi and Iduapriem recorded 52 and 50 percent, respectively.
Addressing the gathering, Nana Bi-Kusi Appiah praised the Ghana Chamber of Mines for introducing such an initiative, which he said continues to save lives and foster a culture of safety among workers and residents of mining communities. He lauded Asanko Gold Mines for hosting the competition in Manso Nkwanta, saying the company’s efforts to extend safety education beyond its operational boundaries reflect its commitment to community welfare and responsible mining.
“Safety education is essential for every community, whether mining-related or not. I am deeply impressed that Asanko Gold and the Ghana Chamber of Mines have chosen to hold this important national competition here in Manso Nkwanta. It brings attention to how vital safety preparedness is in preventing injuries and loss of life. This initiative takes us one step closer to achieving zero harm,” the Chief stated.
He further encouraged residents, particularly the youth, to take lessons from the event and adopt a safety-first mindset in their daily activities, whether at home, in schools, or at work.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mr. Christopher Opoku Darko, Director for Analysis, Research, and Finance, explained that the competition serves as a platform to build capacity among mining staff and their host communities to respond effectively to emergencies.
He remarked that the Chamber’s goal is to ensure that safety consciousness becomes a shared responsibility across all mining areas, adding that involving communities in such training programmes ensures that the benefits of safety education extend far beyond mine sites.
“A mine is not truly safe unless the community around it is also safe. That is why the Chamber continues to engage local teams and empower women to take part in these competitions. What we witness here today can mean the difference between life and death in real emergencies,” he said.
The Managing Director of Asanko Gold Mines Limited, Dr. Charles Amoah, expressed appreciation to the Ghana Chamber of Mines for the opportunity to host this year’s event, describing it as an honour and a reflection of Asanko’s leadership in health, safety, and environmental management within Ghana’s mining industry.
He reaffirmed Asanko Gold’s commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards, noting that safety is not merely a policy but a core part of the company’s culture.
“At Asanko, safety defines who we are. It shapes our culture, drives our discipline, and reflects our commitment to excellence. Hosting this year’s competition is therefore not just an honour but a demonstration of our belief that safety is a shared duty across the entire mining industry,” Dr. Amoah emphasized.
He added that Asanko Gold will continue to invest in safety training, infrastructure, and community engagement initiatives to ensure that both employees and host communities benefit from the company’s safety-driven philosophy.
The competition concluded with cheers and applause from participants, dignitaries, and residents, who commended the Ghana Chamber of Mines for sustaining a platform that strengthens teamwork, emergency response skills, and collaboration between mining companies and local communities.
The oral component of the competition is expected to take place in Accra next week and will be broadcast live on Ghana Television (GTV), providing a national platform for showcasing the knowledge and skills of participating teams.
The 2025 National Inter-Mines First Aid and Safety Competition once again underscored the importance of preparedness and safety consciousness in the mining sector — and highlighted Asanko Gold Mines’ pivotal role in promoting a sustainable, safe, and resilient mining environment for all.
