Golden Star announces policy on inclusion and diversity

Golden Star Resources Ltd. has announced its Policy on Inclusion and Diversity to mark International Women’s Day and the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), considered the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing women’s rights.

New strategic endeavours to promote inclusion and diversity include a target to have 20% female representation across our business by the end of 2025. This will be a significant step forward from the current 4% female representation.

The company also targeting a partnership with Women In Mining UK to provide summer internships at Golden Star as well as the development of an Inclusion and Diversity plan that will include targets to enhance involvement of women in work placements, internships and graduate opportunities;

GSR would also fund the Golden Star Development Foundation and Golden Star Oil Palm Plantation (GSOPP) with $2 per ounce of gold produced to provide sustainable socioeconomic development opportunities for our host communities.

According to a statement from GSR, the Policy has been developed through engagement with employees and the specialist human resources and community affairs teams. The Policy has also been ratified by the Golden Star Board of Directors and endorsed by the Company’s Management Team.

Andrew Wray, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Star said “The Policy on Inclusion and Diversity furthers our commitment to live by our values: collaboration, caring, honesty, respect and fairness. This framework will be applied across our operations in Ghana and the Company’s head office in London.  At the Wassa mine, we recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with our host communities, this process incorporated a commitment to enhance the engagement of women and youth.”

He added that “For some time, the Company has been focussed on creating employment opportunities for Ghanaian nationals and more specifically the host communities from around the mines. These initiatives have successfully resulted in a 98% Ghanaian work force. We are now looking to extend these initiatives to ensure our work force reflects the diversity of our host communities. The insights shared by the diverse team that has contributed to this policy will be fundamental to our success and this process has established relationships that we hope to continue to grow in the future.”

New strategic endeavours to promote inclusion and diversity include:

• Programs to gain recognition as an employer of choice;
• A partnership with Golden Star Oil Palm Plantation (GSOPP) and Solidaridad West Africa to enhance opportunities for women and youth involved in sustainable palm oil production; and
• A partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ): Employment and Skills Development (E4D) in Africa Program for empowerment of women and youth in Ghana through skills and enterprise development. In support of the Policy on Inclusion and Diversity Golden Star will continue to:
• Support the Golden Star Ladies Club, established in 2010 to support and empower members and to promote advocacy in our host communities;
• Implement new methods of engagement to promote participation and engagement by women and youth; 1200-150 KING ST. W. TORONTO, ON M5H 1J9 | GSR.COM 2
• Set targets and undertake specific programs to enhance diversity and retain a diverse and skilled workforce for achievement of our goals;
• Provide opportunities for members of the workforce to participate in cross cultural awareness initiatives for enhanced understanding and collaboration;
• Undertake data collection on diversity matters and increase transparency through greater corporate reporting;
• Partner with other organisations, to deliver interventions with the objective of enhancing opportunities for economic, social and wellbeing security for women and youth;
• Conduct ongoing education with our teams on our values, to ensure all personnel behave in a way that upholds our standards;
• Promote the involvement of women and youth in the Golden Star Oil Palm Plantation, to enhance the 30% female participation and 36% youth (18-35 years) participation; and
• Fund the Golden Star Development Foundation and GSOPP with $2 per ounce of gold produced to provide sustainable socioeconomic development opportunities for our host communities.

Golden Star is an established gold mining company that owns and operates the Wassa and Prestea underground mines in Ghana, West Africa. It is listed on the NYSE American, the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Ghanaian Stock Exchange, Golden Star is focused on delivering strong margins and free cash flow from its two underground mines. Gold production guidance for 2020 is 195,000-210,000 ounces at a cash operating cost per ounce1 of $790-$850. Since winning the PDAC 2018 Environmental and Social Responsibility Award, Golden Star has remained committed to leaving a positive and sustainable legacy in its areas of operation.

Source: Kofi Ahovi//Businessweekghana.com