Future Global Resources (FGR), current owner and operator of the Bogoso Prestea Mine (BPM), has pledged to make female development and the promotion of diversity key pillars to the mine development and future growth plans.
In this regard, FGR recognizes women as the driving force in the economy and is taking decisive steps to remove systemic barriers to female participation, growth, and development within the company.
“In pursuant of this, the company is revising its Human Resources and hiring policy to attract more females. While priority will be given to qualified females for all senior level roles, the company is considering female protection for all entry level roles,” Ahmed-Salim Adam, General Manager of FGR BPM, revealed this during the mine’s International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration, which was marked with several activities in and around the mine’s operational areas.
On the senior level roles, he explained that “These are roles that require educational qualification but not experience and gave the assurance that attention would be paid to female participation in community projects as well as ensuring that new programmes and projects are specifically designed for females, while existing ones are reviewed to increase female participation.
Commending the efforts of the female employees at the mine, Mr. Adam noted the significant contributions they have made in the past years towards the mine’s operations, technically and otherwise.
He said FGR will lead the path in support of women as far as their career advancement is concerned. “In the corporate environment, and at FGR Bogoso Prestea Mine in particular, we do not see gender equality and diversity as nice things to do; they are the right things to do and have the added advantage of contributing positively to organizational success and the achievement of business goals,” he said.
“Looking at our own circumstances and operational context, we know we have a long way to go, and it does not help that we are in a sector that is traditionally male dominated,” he added.
Mr. Adam argued that the current local and international context makes this year’s International Women’s Day theme, ‘Choose to Challenge’, even more relevant. “We should challenge the status quo that makes mining a male-dominated sector and drive the necessary changes that will move women from the periphery of the mining industry to the mainstream.”
The Mine’s International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration was led and coordinated by the Ladies Club of FGR Bogoso Prestea Mine, and involved a virtual seminar, a health walk, dubbed “walk of honor,” and a visit to the Prestea Senior High School. The activities drew the active support of the male counterparts, much to the appreciation of the Ladies Club.
The seminar had the participation of Ms. Angela Forson, General Manager of Institutional Banking at Consolidated Bank Ghana, Madam Mary Vida Kwofie, Director of Education at the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal Education Directorate, as well as other resource persons.
They took turns to advise women to take up challenging roles and opportunities in all spheres in society and also provide support for each other for their common good.
