Demystifying Mathematics misconception: AngloGold Ashanti builds teachers capacity in Obuasi

Mathematics is often seen as a difficult subject for many Ghanaian students. This is due to its abstract nature and some misconceptions.

AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine aims to change this perception. They are building teachers' capacity to help students enjoy Mathematics.

The mining company sponsored a workshop for 590 basic school teachers. These teachers came from the Obuasi East and Obuasi Municipalities. The workshop emphasized the important role teachers play in shaping students' understanding of math.

Additionally, 187 teachers were trained in the Curriculum Core Programme. This training focused on essential skills like oral communication and summarization.

At the close-out session on March 28, 2025, Mavis Nana Yaa Kyei spoke about the initiative. She highlighted that strong educators are key to improving education.

"When we launched this initiative, our vision was clear," she said. "We wanted to create a community of practice for our teachers." She expressed excitement about seeing positive outcomes from their efforts.

The training was based on a new educational curriculum from the Ghana Education Service. It aimed to familiarize teachers with new teaching strategies and modules.

Mrs. Kyei noted that enhancing teachers’ skills is vital for improving reading comprehension and language development among learners. She also stressed the importance of making math more engaging through concrete examples.

Introduced in 2023, this workshop is part of AngloGold Ashanti's educational interventions in local communities.

Recently, the company handed over a 9-unit classroom block at Sanso to the Ghana Education Service (GES). They also provided two fully furnished examination printing centers in both municipalities.

Other initiatives include donating NaCCA-approved textbooks and constructing a robotics center for Obuasi Senior High Technical School.

According to George Alfred Koomson, the Obuasi Municipal Director of Education, these efforts have improved educational outcomes in Obuasi.

In 2022, results from the National Standardized Test showed that only 38% of basic four learners could read and comprehend effectively. This means that 62% struggled with reading comprehension.

"This led to our capacity-building workshop starting in 2023," Mr. Koomson explained. "We introduced early morning reading sessions after the workshop." This approach yielded positive results, earning recognition for their directorate in Obuasi East.

Kwabena Owusu Nketia, the Obuasi East Municipal Director of Education, praised AngloGold Ashanti's support for education. He noted an increase in enrollment and interest among children in public schools due to these interventions.

Teachers shared their experiences from the capacity workshop during discussions. Miss Joana Jones and Georgina Lilly Nkansah from Obuasi Anglican School found it beneficial for enhancing their teaching skills and strategies.