Asanko Mines sponsors financial literacy training for local contractors, suppliers

Twenty local businesses in the Amansie West and South districts in the Ashanti Region have received training in procurement, contract management systems, tendering processes and practices to local and international opportunities for enhanced profitability.

Mining firm Asanko Gold Ghana spearheaded the programme in partnership with Enablis Ghana.

The move is in fulfillment of Ghana’s minerals and mining regulations, 2012 LI 2173.

The LI requires medium to large scale registered mining companies to give stipulated volume of specified commodities and services to Ghanaian businesses as a minimum requirement for promoting local industry and entrepreneurship.

The local vendors, especially those within the mine’s catchment areas, sometimes do not have the required capacity and capabilities to supply and provide goods and services that meet international standards, hence the capacity building project.

During graduation ceremony of the training project for local suppliers and vendors within the mine’s host communities, Acting General Manager of Asanko Gold Ghana Ahmed Mohadini-Yahaya explained that “inasmuch as the regulation allows for Ghanaian vendors to be given opportunities, they sometimes lack the capabilities to compete with their regional and international counterparts. The situation necessitated the capacity building programme”.

Mr. Mohadini-Yahaya further assured that “as a mining company, we will continue to pursue training local vendors to enhance their ability to compete for opportunities within and beyond Asanko”.

The 2021 capacity building programme is the third batch of 20 vendors who have gone through a month’s tailor-made training.

Key highlights of this year’s programme, according to the Ag General Manager, “centered on reviewing women participation which is in line with Asanko’s gender diversity policy, intends to ensure gender parity in our supply chain [and] has increased women participation from 10 percent to 30 percent since the inception of the programme in 2019”.

Participants of the programme shared their experiences on how the three-month programme has transformed their businesses.

Portia Amoah, one of the few ladies who joined the 2021 batch, runs a sole proprietorship business at Tetrem Bontefuo in the Amansie West District.

Speaking to editors.3news.com on the impact of the capacity building programme, she explained that “partaking in the Asanko Nkoso project has really impacted my records keeping and customer relations this past weeks”.

Another beneficiary of the programme, Mary Boakye, operates fast food business at nearby Nkawie.

She explained that the capacity building programme is an eye opener.

“I can now boast of proper management of my business especially my finances and employees thanks to Asanko.”

The 3-month training programme was facilitated by Enablis Enterprenueral Network, Ghana.

Country Director Shika Acolatse urged the beneficiaries to leverage on the knowledge they have acquired to enhance their expertise and competence in growing their businesses to provide goods and services in a more competitive manner.

By Nana Asenso Mensah|editors.3news.com|Ghana