Tuesday, 28 May 2019

Golden Star Featured in the Global Compact Network Canada's SDGs Emerging Practice Guide

United Nations Global Compact

In 2005 Golden Star, with the full support of our Board of Directors, wrote to the United Nations Secretary General and committed to adopting the UN Global Compact. 

As the world's largest global corporate citizenship initiative, the Compact is concerned with exhibiting and building the social legitimacy of business and markets. It is a framework for businesses to align their operations and strategies with universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.

Sustainable Development Goals

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a driver for Golden Star’s strategic approach to corporate responsibility. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) encompassed by the Agenda are the focal point for development across the globe.

In May 2019 the United Nations appointed 17 influential public figures as SDG Advocates to raise awareness, inspire greater ambition, and push for faster action on the SDGs. To build the momentum for transformative, inclusive development by 2030, the Secretary-General’s SDG Advocates will use their unique platforms and leadership to inspire cross-cutting mobilization of the global community.

Co-Chair of the SDG Advocates and President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo noted “The SDGs are about the future that we all want and indeed the future that we all need. It is not just desirable. It is an indispensable investment for our future - the future of our youth and that of our children. We cannot and should not fail them.”

SDGs Emerging Practice Guide

Last week, the Global Compact Network Canada (GCNC) launched its SDGs Emerging Practice Guide. The GCNC has been spearheading and promoting the SDGs in Canada through collaborative efforts with the private sector. 

After consultations with various Canadian companies, it was determined that the lack of SDG-inspired practices was one of the leading obstacles in the adoption of the SDGs—leading to the preparation of the “SDGs Emerging Practice Guide.” 

The guide features three leading practice case studies by Golden Star! These case studies focus on our efforts in support of SDG 1 (No poverty), SDG 3 (Good health and wellbeing) and SDG 8 (Decent work). 
2018 Golden Star Corporate Responsibility Report

At our recent Annual General Meeting, we released our 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report, our 13th report against the UN Global Compact. 

Here is a summary of what our President and CEO, Andrew Wray had to say on releasing the report:

“On behalf of the Golden Star team, I am pleased to share our annual corporate responsibility report. This is the first corporate responsibility report which I have the pleasure of presenting as the CEO of Golden Star. For me, this is a key area of strength for the company and I am privileged to inherit such a talented and dedicated team. 

In 2018 we achieved much success related to our ongoing delivery of corporate responsibility programmes including winning the prestigious PDAC Environment and Social Responsibility award and multiple awards at the Ghana Mining Industry Awards. I would like to extend my congratulations to our teams, GSOPP, LOCOMs and Ms. Gandhi for these fantastic achievements.

We also continued to advance our progress in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals. One of my key priorities is to ensure that our work in corporate responsibility continues to develop and that we remain a trusted and valued partner for all our stakeholders”.

If you'd like to find out more about Golden Star and its approach to CSR, please visit www.gsr.com/responsibility 

To download the SDGs Emerging Practice Guide please visit www.globalcompact.ca/sdgs-emerging-pratice-guide