By Nicholas Osei-Wusu
The Chamber of Mines has entreated mining firms in the country to ensure comprehensive safety protocols that go beyond the mines and the workers to involve their catchment communities.
According to the Chamber, even though it is important to prioritize a safe working environment for the mine workers to give off their best, that alone is not enough until the surrounding towns and villages also feel safe from the operations of the company to engender cooperation and mutual trust.
The Director for Analysis, Research and Finance of the Chamber of Mines, Christopher Opoku-Darko, gave the advice at this year’s National Inter-Mines First Aid and Safety Competition in the Amansie South District of Ashanti.
The annual National Inter-Mines First Aid and Safety Competition is organized by the Ghana Chamber of Mines to test the safety and first aid preparedness of member mining firms in the country towards emergency situations.
This year’s Inter-Mines Safety and First Aid Competition saw staff of large-scale mining firms and their community teams showcase their readiness in responding to emergencies both within mining sites and in host communities.
Golden Star Wassa, Asanko Gold Mine, AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi, and the Ghana Manganese Company Limited were among the companies that participated in the competition with both staff and community teams.
The community teams category had Asanko Gold Mine, which hosted the event, emerge winners with 98%, beating Abosso Goldfields Damang with 89%. AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine came 3rd with 85.5%, while the Ghana Manganese Company followed with a score of 27%.
In the staff category, however, Golden Star Wassa scored 59% to emerge as the winner, while Asanko Gold Mine came 2nd with 58.5%, followed by AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi with 52% and AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem with 50%.
The oral component of the competition will, however, be held a week later in Accra on Ghana Television (GTV) of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
According to the Ghana Chamber of Mines, such engagements not only align communities with corporate safety goals but also provide practical knowledge applicable at home and at work.
This year’s competition was themed, “Every Moment is an Ambush, Think Safety All the Time.”
Addressing the participants, the Director for Analysis, Research and Finance at the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Christopher Opoku-Darko, said the annual competition, in particular, is a demonstration of lifesaving first aid techniques that can mean the difference between life and death in real-world emergencies.
“A mine is not truly safe unless the community around it is also safe. That is why we continue to engage community teams and especially empower women to actively participate in safety competitions,” Mr. Darko explained.
Managing Director of Asanko Gold Mine, Dr. Charles Amoah, noted that safety is not a one-day event, but a mindset and a way of life that must be prioritized at all times.
He pledged Asanko Gold Mine’s commitment to improving its safety standards, not only within the mine environment but also in the host communities, to ensure everyone’s safety at all times.
Dr. Amoah said, “At Asanko, safety defines who we are. It shapes our culture, drives our discipline, and reflects our commitment to excellence. Hosting this year’s competition is therefore not just an honour but a clear demonstration of our belief that safety is a shared duty across the entire mining industry.”
He commended the Ghana Chamber of Mines for granting Asanko Gold Mine the privilege to host this year’s competition.
The Paramount Chief of the Manso Nkwanta Traditional Area, Nana Bi Kusi Appiah, lauded the initiative by the Ghana Chamber of Mines and commended Asanko Gold Mine for hosting the event in his area to create awareness of safety, noting that it moves the industry one step closer to zero harm.
