Africa-Press – Ghana. Airotix Technologies has been adjudged the winner of AngloGold Ashanti’s maiden Obuasi Business Innovation Challenge 2025.
The team received GH¢100,000 as seed capital for their venture, along with a plaque and a certificate of recognition.
Airotix Technologies is made up of four enterprising young men from the Obuasi community who combined their expertise to develop an innovative device capable of detecting air pollution levels in the environment.
During their pitch, the group delivered a compelling presentation that impressed the judges with both the clarity and depth of their explanation of the device’s operational mechanics.
The Business Innovation Challenge was instituted by AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) to empower and uplift local communities by promoting innovative thinking and supporting the growth of high-potential enterprises in Obuasi.
In a speech read on his behalf, Mr Samuel Pobee, Managing Director of AGA, noted that the six-month challenge had been an extraordinary journey of creativity, resilience, and determination, beginning with 42 contestants.
Through a rigorous process of training and evaluation, the number was narrowed down to 10 finalists.
According to Mr Pobee, the challenge forms a key component of AGA Obuasi Mine’s 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP), which underscores the company’s commitment to fostering local enterprise development.
He emphasised that the initiative seeks to create sustainable jobs, diversify the local economy, and promote long-term community development.
Mr Pobee explained that by investing in local talent, AGA aims to stimulate economic activity that not only enhances the visibility of Obuasi-based businesses but also contributes to building resilient and self-sustaining communities.
He highlighted that, in addition to the Innovation Challenge, AGA has rolled out a number of enterprise and skills development programmes, including the flagship Skills Development and Certification Programme and the Business Acceleration and Sustainability Programme (BAST).
Through these interventions, AGA has trained 1,383 MSMEs, with women accounting for an impressive 53 per cent of participants, reflecting the company’s commitment to inclusivity and women empowerment.
Of those trained, 108 MSMEs gained access to financing, 810 entrepreneurs recorded an average revenue increase of 55 per cent, and 267 new jobs were created.
Overall, AGA’s empowerment initiatives have positively impacted more than 200,000 people across the Obuasi communities.
At the end of the final pitch, Oli-Emma Paints placed second, receiving GH¢50,000 as start-up capital, while Charcoal Master emerged third with GH¢30,000.
Lyn Special Kelewele and Joy Engineering took fourth and fifth positions, receiving GH¢20,000 and GH¢10,000, respectively.
All 42 participants in the competition received certificates of participation.
Mr Wesley Akanyako, Operations and Research Officer for Airotix Technologies, expressed gratitude to AGA for the support and pledged that the team would put the funds to their intended use.
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