Golden Star Resources (GSR) Wassa Mine has said it is poised to increase the representation of women at the mine to 20% by the end of 2025. The company, early last year, announced an inclusion and diversity policy and seeks to attain the set target through apprenticeship and graduate training programmes.
Also, the company is partnering Women in Mining in the United Kingdom to create partnership opportunities for the next generation of women considering career in mining.
Shadrack Adjetey Sowah, Managing Director of the mine mentioned this in an address read on his behalf at a ceremony to mark International Women’s Day at Akyempim in the Western Region. The event was on the theme: ‘Women in Leadership and Model Parenting in a Mining Community.’
“We live and do our business in communities with potential females who can also benefit from these initiatives if they are empowered,” he said, adding that having the right information and being properly directed into choosing programmes will help children make better decisions.
“This is one of the reasons we organized this programme to help parents and leaders of these communities receive the right information and guide their children especially the girls to challenge themselves holistically,” he added.
President of the Golden Star Ladies Club, Gifty Evelyn Bilson pointed out that mining is a male dominated area but gradually women are changing the story. “Women should be encouraged to offer courses in the mining field to be able to rub shoulders with the men,” she said.
She added that the club has organized several programmes in the community such as breast cancer screening for over 2,000 women, workshops, donation to support women groups and learning material to schools among others. “We want to see women in the communities take up responsible position in the company, promote mining jobs and other alternative jobs.”
During a panel discussion on the theme for the day, Kofi Egyin Bondzie, Head of Human Resource at Golden Star Resources urged parents and guardians to train their children to accomplish their goals in life and not become liabilities on society.
She encouraged women to manage their homes and careers and move along with them despite the challenges that may come their way. He also encouraged women to avail themselves to promotions to better themselves.
Dr. Grace Ofori–Sarpong, Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) called for proper parenting, motivation and relationship with children to better understand them and guide into success. “Assign roles to your children in the home and give them the needed support to be responsible in the society,” she said.
Andoh Robertson, Head of Counselling Unit at UMaT urged parents to lead exemplary lives that will motivate their children. “Let your life challenge people in our society.”
