Asanko Gold Launches the Women in Mining “Botae Pa Initiative”
October 23 2018 - 12:12PM
Asanko Gold Inc. (“Asanko” or the “Company”) (TSX, NYSE
American: AKG) is pleased to announce the launch of the
Asanko Women in Mining “Botae Pa Initiative” at the Asanko Gold
Mine (“AGM”) in Ghana, West Africa. The AGM is a 50:50 joint
venture (“JV”) with Gold Fields Ltd (JSE, NYSE: GFI) which is
managed and operated by Asanko.
Literally translated from the Ghanaian Akan
language to mean “Good Purpose”, the Botae Pa Initiative is
dedicated to the empowerment and furtherance of women at the Asanko
Gold Mine and its catchment communities. This Initiative has been
the brainchild of the Asanko Women in Mining Chapter and is being
funded 50:50 by the mine and its contractors.
The Botae Pa Initiative’s projects will be
focused on achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls
by promoting the mining sector to women as an exciting career
choice, focusing on the needs of women and girls in the local
communities in the areas of education, health, access to finance
and business, and supporting the professional development of
Asanko’s women through mentoring and networking programs.
The Botae Pa Initiative builds on Asanko’s
existing corporate social responsibility (“CSR”) programs and meets
the globally recognized United Nation’s Sustainable Development
Goal #5 “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”.
To date, Asanko’s CSR programs, under the umbrella of “The Asanko
Opportunity Cycle”, have focused on education, health, access to
capital and financial literacy, vocational training and assisting
local businesses.
Commenting on the launch, Peter Breese,
President & CEO, said, “Gender diversity isn’t just a
buzzword of the moment, it makes good business sense to have a
workforce that is made up of the best male and female talent out
there.
"It’s important that we continue to develop and
promote the women within our business, as well as the girls in our
local communities, as they are the next generation of leaders and
decision makers and the Botae Pa Initiative provides a dedicated
platform to fulfil this.
"CSR is key to Asanko’s business and its
long-term viability as a successful gold producer in Ghana. Over
the past decade, we have built up a strong social license to
operate and have been recognized for our award-winning CSR
projects. The Botae Pa Initiative will complement these ongoing
programs as well as deliver on our commitment to the UN’s SDG #5. I
congratulate the Asanko Women in Mining Chapter for setting up this
Initiative.”
Alongside the Botae Pa Initiative, Asanko also
has a formal Women in Mining Charter outlining its commitment to
gender diversity and empowerment, as well as a number of
female-friendly policies designed to increase the number of women
at the Asanko Gold Mine, which currently stands at approximately
10% for 2018 and is above the national average of 7% in the mining
industry in Ghana. Amongst these policies are: prioritizing female
applicants for vacant roles, provision of site accommodation for
all women on the mine, maternity leave extended from 14 to 16 weeks
and the provision of site accommodation and meals for all nursing
mothers and their nannies.
Enquiries:For further
information please visit: www.asanko.com, email: info@asanko.com or
contact:
Alex Buck – Manager, Investor and Media RelationsToll-Free
(N.America): 1-855-246-7341Telephone: +44-7932-740-452Email:
alex.buck@asanko.com
About Asanko Gold Inc.Asanko’s
vision is to become a mid-tier gold mining company that maximizes
value for all its stakeholders. The Company’s flagship project,
located in Ghana, West Africa, is the jointly owned Asanko Gold
Mine with Gold Fields Ltd, which Asanko manages and operates.
Asanko is managed by highly skilled and successful technical,
operational and financial professionals. The Company is strongly
committed to the highest standards for environmental management,
social responsibility, and health and safety for its employees and
neighbouring communities.
Neither Toronto Stock Exchange nor the
Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Gold Fields (NYSE:GFI)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
Gold Fields (NYSE:GFI)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024