Accra: Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited (CNML), in collaboration with Golden Dynasty Company Limited (GDCL), has initiated a youth capacity-building programme aimed at equipping young individuals in its catchment communities with the necessary technical skills for employment within the mining sector.
According to Ghana News Agency, the programme has inducted 30 young people who will embark on a two-year training initiative. The primary objective is to address youth unemployment while simultaneously building a skilled local workforce to support mining operations. The selected trainees hail from immediate communities including Biung, Digaare, Datuko, Sheaga, Buugu, and Tolla.
CNML, a subsidiary of the Chinese mining firm Shandong Gold Limited, is currently engaged in open-cast ecologically friendly gold mining activities in Talensi. Mr. Qi Xuanya, CNML's Vice President in charge of Community and Social Responsibility (CSR) and Security, emphasized that the programme is part of the company's commitment to sustainable community development. It aims to empower youth and reduce unemployment rates in the region.
Mr. Xuanya elaborated on the training process, explaining that the selected candidates will undergo a two-year hands-on training in Plant Operations and Maintenance under GDCL, which is responsible for plant operations and maintenance on the CNML project. He highlighted the competitive and merit-based selection process, which involved community nominations, aptitude testing, and medical screening to ensure fairness and readiness among participants.
Furthermore, Mr. Xuanya noted that beneficiaries who successfully complete the programme would have the opportunity to register with the Minerals Commission and obtain certification as professional mine workers. Ms. Jemima Ofori, HR Officer in charge of Recruitment at GDCL, described the initiative as a significant step towards tackling unemployment in the Talensi District. The programme was developed through extensive community engagement and collaboration with traditional authorities to ensure transparency and inclusiveness.
Ms. Ofori emphasized the programme's focus on youth who might not have access to tertiary education, offering them employable skills to enhance their livelihoods and contribute to the local economy. Mr. Liu Jiakai, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Human Resource at GDCL, highlighted the initiative's role in bridging the skills gap in the mining industry, particularly in technical areas like metallurgy and plant operations.
Mr. Maxwell Wooma, Community and Social Responsibility Superintendent at CNML, expressed optimism that the programme would help build a pool of competent local labor to meet the mine's operational needs. He urged the trainees to take the opportunity seriously, warning against indiscipline and a sense of entitlement, which could undermine their chances and the programme's sustainability.
Mr. Wooma reiterated CNML's commitment to fostering a 'win-win' relationship with host communities through employment, skills training, and local participation in mining activities. Mr. Gideon Kwame Azornu, Senior Coordinator in charge of Training and Development at CNML, stressed the importance of community participation in mining, arguing that projects excluding local people amount to mere resource extraction without long-term benefits.
He encouraged the trainees to take ownership of the opportunity, reminding them that their participation signifies a new beginning for local involvement in the industry. Mr. Azornu further urged the beneficiaries to remain focused and committed, explaining that their performance would serve as a benchmark for future cohorts.