Company Announces Commencement of Drilling on Fahiakoba Gold Project, Ghana

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. NEWS AGENCIES

VANCOUVER, March 12, 2012 /CNW/ - (TSX.V: ASE), Douglas MacQuarrie, president, announces that drilling has commenced on the Company's flagship Fahiakoba property in Ghana. The program consists of 5,000 metres of diamond drilling designed to test major structures to the northeast of Perseus' Edikan mine. The structures are in alluvial covered areas and have been outlined by geophysical surveys.

Fahiakoba is a 22.07 sq km prospecting license located on strike with and between Perseus Mining's 4.32 million ounce (gold reserves & resources) Edikan Mine and AngloGold Ashanti's 60 million ounce (reserves & resources of 9.52 and 35.41 million ozs, and historical production of ~31 million ozs) Obuasi mine. The latter is the longest producing, highest grade and largest gold resource in West Africa.

Asante Gold holds a 100% interest in the Fahiakoba gold concession thru an option agreement with Goknet Mining Company Limited of Accra which holds the prospecting license, and is subject to 5% Government and 3% underlying NSR interest.


ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

"DOUGLAS MACQUARRIE"
PRESIDENT



This news release includes certain forward-looking statements or information. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements relating to the expected listing of shares, removal of the trading halt, the expected timing of the removal of the halt, Exchange approvals, the use of proceeds, timing and results of proposed exploration programs, and other future plans, objectives or expectations of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied certain factors or assumptions that it believes are reasonable, including that the Company will obtain Exchange approval, that it will be able to obtain necessary equipment, supplies, personnel and approvals for its exploration and development activities and that the Company's exploration activities can proceed as expected. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include risks relating to the Company's ability to obtain Exchange approval, timeliness of regulatory approvals, actual results of exploration activities, the Company's ability to complete its drilling and exploration programs on schedule, possibility of equipment breakdowns and delays, and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.



For further information:

Douglas MacQuarrie, President, tel: +1 604-558-1134; E-mail: douglas@asantegold.com
Jag Sandhu, Director, Corporate Development, tel: +1 604-306-1950
Doreen Kent, Shareholder Communications, tel: +1 604-948-9450; E-mail: d.kent@eastlink.ca
Kirsti Mattson, Media Relations, tel: +1 778-434-2241; E-mail: kirsti.mattson@gmail.com
Europe: Florian Riedl-Riedenstein, Director, tel: +43 2774 28814; E-mail: frram@aon.net
Or visit our website at: www.asantegold.com