Accra: Zijin Golden Ridge Limited has reaffirmed its commitment towards supporting youth employment and career development in the Birim North District, encouraging young people to prepare themselves for opportunities both within and beyond the mining industry. The call was made at the 2026 Zijin Employment Clinic, organised in partnership with the GhanaThink Foundation at the AVTI campus in Amanfrom, where young people were equipped with practical skills, career guidance, and employability strategies to navigate an increasingly competitive job market.
According to Ghana News Agency, the programme forms part of Zijin's community development efforts following its acquisition of the Akyem Mine in April 2024. Mr. Harry He, the Vice President for Human Resources, Administration and Construction at Zijin Golden Ridge Limited, urged the youth to remain open-minded about their career journeys, noting that success often came through unexpected paths. Drawing from his personal experience, he said he had dreamt of becoming a pilot but eventually studied civil engineering and later built a career in human resource management within the construction and mining sectors.
Mr. He emphasized the importance of preparing for opportunities, stating, "Life is full of uncertainty. Your career may not necessarily be what you studied in school. What matters is preparing yourself for opportunities when they come." He encouraged participants to continuously improve their skills and remain ready to seize opportunities whenever they arose.
He stressed that Zijin's role in the community extended beyond mining operations, saying, "We are here to do mining, but not only to do mining. We want to share the benefits with the community and help create better lives for people." Mr. He also disclosed that technical studies and operational adjustments undertaken since Zijin took over the Akyem Mine had significantly extended its projected lifespan, creating prospects for additional employment and economic opportunities for local communities.
Mr. Philip Ashon, the Communications and Media Relations Manager of Zijin Golden Ridge Limited, explained the rationale behind the initiative, noting employment consistently emerged as a major concern during engagements with host communities. He emphasized that the mining industry alone could not absorb all job seekers in the area, encouraging young people to explore opportunities beyond mining in fields such as entrepreneurship, agriculture, and technology.
Mr. Ashon highlighted the success of the maiden employment clinic held in 2025, which attracted over 300 participants and focused on CV writing, interview preparation, and workplace readiness. Feedback from participants indicated a strong demand for career guidance, leading to this year's expanded programme in partnership with the GhanaThink Foundation.
Mr. Charles Asuako Owiredu, the Member of Parliament for Abirem, also addressed the participants, encouraging perseverance and focus on aspirations. He shared his own journey, illustrating how changes in circumstances led him from aspiring to be a pilot to a career in teaching, economics, politics, and serving as Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa.
The day's clinic featured sessions on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, digital literacy, agriculture, climate and green jobs, employability, career planning, and emerging opportunities in technology and business. Speakers emphasized practical skills, adaptability, networking, digital competence, and lifelong learning as critical for success in the modern workplace.