The Managing Director of Asanko Gold Mines Limited, Dr. Charles Amoah, has reaffirmed the company’s unwavering commitment to safety excellence following Asanko Gold’s outstanding performance and victory in the 2025 National Inter-Mines First Aid and Safety Competition organized by the Ghana Chamber of Mines.
The prestigious annual competition, hosted by Asanko Gold Mines at its operational site in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region, brought together some of Ghana’s leading large-scale mining companies to demonstrate their capacity, skill, and readiness in handling emergencies both at the mine and within host communities.
The event, held under the theme, “Every Moment is an Ambush, Think Safety All the Time,” sought to deepen safety consciousness across the mining industry while encouraging community participation in lifesaving practices and emergency preparedness.
Participating mining companies included Asanko Gold Mines Limited, Golden Star Wassa, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi, AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem, Abosso Goldfields Damang, and the Ghana Manganese Company Limited, all of which fielded both staff and community teams to compete in simulated first aid demonstrations and practical safety drills.
In a fiercely contested community teams category, Asanko Gold Mines emerged as the overall winner with an impressive 98 percent, outperforming Abosso Goldfields Damang, which scored 89 percent, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi with 85.5 percent, and the Ghana Manganese Company, which obtained 27 percent.
In the staff category, Golden Star Wassa placed first with 59 percent, followed closely by Asanko Gold Mines with 58.5 percent, while AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi and AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem recorded 52 and 50 percent, respectively.
Speaking after the competition, Dr. Charles Amoah, Managing Director of Asanko Gold Mines Limited, said the company’s success was not accidental but the result of years of dedication to creating a safety-driven work environment where every employee and community member understands the value of safety.
“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 not just an honour but a demonstration of our belief that safety is a shared duty across the entire mining industry,” he stated.
He explained that Asanko Gold’s safety philosophy goes beyond compliance with regulations to include proactive measures, continuous training, and collaboration with host communities to ensure that safety practices become part of everyday life.
“Safety is not a one-day event; it is a mindset. It is the way we think, work, and live. That is why we continuously engage our workers, contractors, and host communities in capacity-building programmes to prevent accidents and safeguard lives,” Dr. Amoah emphasized.
He expressed appreciation to the Ghana Chamber of Mines for entrusting Asanko Gold Mines with the responsibility of hosting the 2025 competition and commended all participating companies for their professionalism and dedication to maintaining high safety standards.
The Director for Analysis, Research, and Finance at the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mr. Christopher Opoku Darko, who spoke on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, praised Asanko Gold Mines for setting a high bar in safety leadership and community collaboration.
According to him, the Chamber introduced the competition as part of its broader effort to build a safety-oriented workforce within the mining sector and to extend safety education to host communities.
“A mine is not truly safe unless the community around it is also safe. That is why we continue to engage both staff and community teams and empower women to actively participate in these safety competitions. The knowledge gained here can save lives in homes, workplaces, and beyond,” Mr. Opoku Darko remarked.
The Paramount Chief of the Manso Nkwanta Traditional Area, Nana Bi-Kusi Appiah, also lauded both the Chamber and Asanko Gold Mines for organizing such a transformative event in his jurisdiction. He said hosting the competition in Manso Nkwanta had not only created awareness about the importance of safety but had also strengthened relations between the mining industry and local communities.
“Safety education is a gift to every community. This event has helped our youth and residents understand the value of safety preparedness in preventing injuries and protecting lives. I commend Asanko Gold for taking the lead,” the Chief stated.
The competition concluded with great excitement as participants and dignitaries applauded the Chamber of Mines for sustaining an initiative that continues to promote teamwork, resilience, and lifesaving skills across Ghana’s mining sector.
The oral component of the competition is scheduled to take place in Accra next week and will be broadcast live on Ghana Television (GTV), allowing a wider audience to witness the intellectual and practical aspects of safety preparedness demonstrated by the participating teams.
Asanko Gold Mines’ success in this year’s National Inter-Mines First Aid and Safety Competition stands as a testament to its deep-rooted culture of safety, its commitment to continuous improvement, and its enduring belief that every life is valuable and worth protecting — both within and beyond the mining environment.
