POVERTY MAPPING OF THE OBUASI MUNICIPALITY AND OBUASI EAST DISTRICT

The report provides a comprehensive poverty profile of the Obuasi Municipality and Obuasi East District, highlighting a 'resource curse' where the presence of gold mining has not translated into widespread local prosperity. Key findings indicate high unemployment due to the loss of agricultural lands to mines, insufficient household incomes, and significant gender disparities in education and economic vulnerability. Environmental degradation, including water pollution and structural damage to homes from mining blasts, is prevalent. While AngloGold Ashanti has implemented some positive social interventions, such as malaria control and youth training, residents report limited direct employment and a lack of inclusive governance by local District Assemblies.

• The presence of gold mining in the region has not resulted in significant direct employment for local natives, leading to a 'resource curse' where residents may be worse off despite the area's mineral wealth.
• Mining activities have displaced traditional agriculture, which previously provided stable employment, leaving many residents without jobs as agricultural lands were taken by the mines.
• Females in both districts exhibit higher vulnerability to poverty and a greater dependence on males due to a lack of employment opportunities, particularly in the Kunka-Anyinam Zonal Council and Tutuka-Odumasi Area Council.
• Educational attainment is biased toward males, leaving young females more vulnerable to future cycles of poverty.
• Housing in the Obuasi Municipality, especially in the Central Zonal Council, is insufficient and overcrowded, with many residents sharing single rooms that lack decent toilet, kitchen, and bathroom facilities.
• Poverty and inadequate housing have contributed to high incidences of sexual abuse, particularly in the Brahabebome-Akaporiso Area Council and the Kunka-Anyinam Zonal Council.
• Mining operations have caused environmental and structural damage, including eye problems from dust pollution and the cracking of building walls and foundations due to tremors and vibrations from rock blasting.
• Residents express significant dissatisfaction with the Obuasi Municipal Assembly and the Obuasi East District Assembly, citing a lack of space for local participation in governance and failure to secure local employment from AngloGold Ashanti.
• AngloGold Ashanti has implemented several positive social interventions, including the AGAMal malaria control program, youth apprenticeship training, and the Community Trust Fund, though many residents feel these impacts are not adequately felt.
• Household incomes in both districts are generally insufficient to meet basic needs, with many residents living 'hand to mouth' and unable to accumulate savings.

APA

Adamtey, R. (2021). POVERTY MAPPING OF THE OBUASI MUNICIPALITY AND OBUASI EAST DISTRICT. Good Governance Africa. https://digitalmallblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wp-content/2022/04/POVERTY-MAPPING-OF-THE-OBUASI-MUNICIPALITYAND-OBUASI-EAST-DISTRICT-BIG.pdf

Chicago

Adamtey, Ronald. POVERTY MAPPING OF THE OBUASI MUNICIPALITY AND OBUASI EAST DISTRICT. Good Governance Africa, 2021. https://digitalmallblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wp-content/2022/04/POVERTY-MAPPING-OF-THE-OBUASI-MUNICIPALITYAND-OBUASI-EAST-DISTRICT-BIG.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Adamtey |first1=Ronald |title=POVERTY MAPPING OF THE OBUASI MUNICIPALITY AND OBUASI EAST DISTRICT |publisher=Good Governance Africa |date=December 2021 |url=https://digitalmallblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wp-content/2022/04/POVERTY-MAPPING-OF-THE-OBUASI-MUNICIPALITYAND-OBUASI-EAST-DISTRICT-BIG.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{adamtey2021poverty, author = {Adamtey, Ronald}, title = {{POVERTY MAPPING OF THE OBUASI MUNICIPALITY AND OBUASI EAST DISTRICT}}, institution = {Good Governance Africa}, year = {2021}, month = dec, url = {https://digitalmallblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wp-content/2022/04/POVERTY-MAPPING-OF-THE-OBUASI-MUNICIPALITYAND-OBUASI-EAST-DISTRICT-BIG.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }