Asanko promotes gender diversity

Mining firm, Asanko Gold Ghana Limited, has rolled out a gender diversity policy leading to a dramatic increase in women entrepreneur participation and competition for contracts in the firm.

The policy under its "Nkoso" project deliberately launched some three years ago has led to a jump in women participation from 10 per cent to 30 per cent of local vendors who apply for contracts.

The policy included exposing them to best contract management systems, procurement and tendering processes and practices to equip them to meet the stringent requirements of doing business with Asanko in particular.

Graduation

The Acting General Manager of Asanko, Mr Ahmed Mohadini-Yahaya, announced this at Manso Abore in the Amansie West district of the Ashanti region during the third graduation ceremony of 29 individuals representing 20 businesses at the Asanko-Eneblis Ghana capacity building.

A total of 79 individuals representing 62 businesses have so far been trained over the last three years.

They were given training in procurement law, international best practices and specific requirements that will make them competitive on the job market.

Regulation 2 (8) of the Minerals and Mining (general) regulations, 2012 LI 2173, requires medium-to-large scale registered mining companies to give a stipulated volume of specified commodities and services to Ghanaian businesses, as a minimum requirement for promoting local industry and entrepreneurship.

In line with this, Mr Mohadini-Yahaya said the mining firm has made it a policy and a strategic choice to procure significant proportions of its inputs from local vendors and contractors.

He said the company also occasionally sponsors programmes aimed at enhancing the capabilities of "these small to medium scale businesses".

"We have further ring-fenced specific supplies and services to indigenous vendors within our host communities, even though they sometimes lack the capability to compete with their regional and national counterparts," he said.

Eneblis

The Country Director of Eneblis Ghana, Shika Acolatse, said developing local capacities will create more jobs and improve capital retention.

She said the knowledge acquired would make the entrepreneurs independent even after the life of the mines.

Madam Acolatse said there was the need to sustain the programme because it will help to promote the business eco-system in general.

She urged the third cohorts under the programme to be flexible and creative during the COVID-19 pandemic period to remain in business.

Ag. DCE

In a message sent to the programme, the Acting DCE for Amansie West, Nii Ollenu Larteh, urged the "graduates" to seize the opportunity to adhere to timelines in order to remain in business.

Participants

Participants expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity offered them to fully understand the dynamics in providing services in the mining sector and the business world.

About Asanko

Asanko Ghana Limited is the leading gold producer in Ghana, Africa's largest gold producing country.

Its flagship asset is the Asanko Gold Mine.

The company is managed and operated by Asanko, the mine is a joint venture between Goldfields; Asanko and Gold Fields both have a 45 per cent economic interest with the government of Ghana holding the remaining 10 per cent.