Providing for Future Generations
Since 2010 we have supported more than 1,900 young people to undertake programs to build their capacity, experience and qualifications. These programs, combined with our array of alternative livelihood initiatives including the Golden Star Oil Palm Plantation, direct mine employment, and provision of goods and services, provide livelihoods for thousands of people and their families.
In fact, as at the end of 2016:
• 99% of the workforce of Golden Star is Ghanaian,
• 51% of the workforce hails directly from host communities,
• Two of our Board members are Ghanaian, and
• Over 84% of goods and services value was provided by Ghanaian companies!
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| Mrs. Fidelia Kwapong Arthur and her local company, Passionate Community Services, provide waste management services for the Golden Star's Prestea operations |
Attachment Program
In Ghana, students studying for their undergraduate and diploma degrees are eligible to apply for a 1 to 3 month placement at the conclusion of each year of university or polytechnic. Typically within Golden Star positions are allocated to those that have completed their second or third years of studies.
Since 2010, Golden Star has hosted over 592 university and polytechnic students with attachment program placements within the company.
It remains our target to place as many eligible young people as possible, for example in both 2014 and 2015 at our Wassa operations all eligible catchment community applicants were provided with attachment positions, and at Prestea, 89% of available positions were allocated to catchment community members.
This commitment remains strong and in 2016, 100% of available positions were allocated to eligible host community applicants studying applicable disciplines. Meanwhile, at Bogoso/Prestea in 2016 and 2017, 81% of all available positions were allocated to members of our host communities.
Ghana National Service
At the conclusion of a degree or diploma program, a tertiary school leaver is required to complete a year of mandatory National Service under the employment of the National Service Secretariat of Ghana. The graduates are allocated to government agencies and private businesses throughout Ghana to gain practical employment skills before entering the labour market.
In the last six years, Golden Star has provided practical workplace-based employment skills to 481 National Service personnel allocated to our operations by the National Service Secretariat.
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| National Service personnel at Wassa, assisting with breast cancer awareness program |
Not only have these young people benefitted from the practical exposure to a real workplace situation, but Golden Star has also benefitted from their vitality, innovation and fresh ideas!
Apprenticeships and Graduate Traineeships
Golden Star also periodically operates apprenticeships for trade orientated young people and graduate traineeships to strengthen access to highly specialized skill sets amongst youth.
Since 2010, Golden Star has supported 74 apprentices in employment and a further 127 young people through employment under graduate traineeship programs.
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| Gifty Gandhi (second from left), Prestea Underground Shift Boss, joined Golden Star through our graduate traineeship program |
In fact, within Golden Star today, a number of our employees in highly skilled roles, such as mine ventilation and mining engineering, commenced employment with Golden Star through graduate traineeship opportunities.
Golden Star Skills Training and Employability Program (GSSTEP)
Golden Star does not have control over the Ghana Government attachment and National Service program, so specifically for our catchment communities we operate the Golden Star Skills Training and Employable Program (GSSTEP).
Inaugurated in 2009, GSSTEP seeks to provide employable skills to youth, diversify and expand employment opportunities, and provide viable alternatives to reduce reliance on unauthorized activities, such as galamsey. Since its inception, GSSTEP has provided skills and training to 84 masonry, 102 commercial cookery, 54 carpentry, 43 mobile phone repairs, 38 building electrical, 57 beads and jewelry making, 29 hair dressing, 22 local fabric bags and sandal making, and 54 other trainees.
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| Young women learning commercial cookery skills through GSSTEP |
Developing Our People
Golden Star also supports the further professional development of our employees. Since 2010, 134 of our employees undertook programmes sponsored by Golden Star to obtain recognised qualifications - Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Masters level studies.
What has been the Impact?
The GSSTEP program is targeted specifically at youth from the Golden Star host communities, and although allocation of students to attachment and National Service are outside of Golden Star’s control, these also frequently support skills development for local youth to Golden Star’s operations. As a result, many of the young people in programs of this type come directly from the Golden Star host communities, further enhancing development and employment opportunities for local people.
Let’s hear what some of the program participants have to say about the value of these programs to their development:
Juliet Adobea Awuku-Mensah – National Service (Prestea)
“It is a great opportunity for me to be part of the Golden Star family. There has been so much to learn and to be used as a stepping stone in my future endeavor, especially meeting up with great women who are serving as mentors in my life. I am grateful to the entire team for their support, love and knowledge sharing. Long live Golden Star.”
Daniel Akyea Twum – Attachment (Akyempim)
“It’s my second internship in the mine and I had no headache applying. I am exposed to many practical aspects of what I have studied in school and it has really helped me a lot in my academic studies. Thanks to Golden Star for everything. “
Wendy Harley Pobee – National Service (Takoradi)
“I am not from the catchment area but it is a great honor for Golden Star to support us. It is a great privilege and a wonderful experience to have my national service with Golden Star. I have made contact with wonderful people and I thank the management for all that they have done to equip me in my training, especially with the four months additional contract for me to learn more from the department.”
Alhassan Mustapha – Attachment (Prestea)
“It is a huge opportunity to have my internship with Golden Star Resources. I get the opportunity to have the experience and acquire more knowledge about the industry. I say thank you to the management team for supporting us with the industrial training.”
Elsie Esi Hagan – Attachment (Bogoso)“I have had no difficulty in applying for my internship with Golden Star and it has been a nice experience that I have gained during my stay here. I have acquired enough practical experience to assist me in understanding the theory aspects of my program and I want to use this opportunity to thank the management of Golden Star for their massive support. Ayekoo to Golden Star Resources!”
Alberta Nkrumah – National Service (Bawdie)
“I am happy to have my national service training with Golden Star Resources and I have learnt much within my period of service. My sincere gratitude to all the management team of GSR especially the Communities Department for their great support towards my Service. God bless them abundantly.”
Rebecca Appiah, Community Relations Officer and former National Service personnel
“In spite of the difficult times for industry, Golden Star continues to provide employment to its catchment and local communities. I am a native from one of the communities and am currently working in the Community Relations and Social Responsibility Department. Golden Star recruits people from its catchment communities and that includes Akyempim, Kubekro, Nsadweso, Togbekrom, Akosombo, Old Subri, Accra Town, Juabeng, Ateiku, Odumase, Esumenamu, Mpohor and Prestea. In fact, 30% of the workforce for the new Wassa Underground mine hail directly from the catchment communities! Locals continue to be employed in all other parts of the operations. Ayekoo to Golden Star for their intensive support to its catchment communities! Long live Golden Star.”If you'd like to find out more about Golden Star and its approach to CSR, please visit www.gsr.com/responsibility.
