Awaso Community Hails Ghana Bauxite Company for Establishing Community Relations Office
The chiefs, elders, and people of Awaso in the Bibiani Anhwiase Bekwai municipality of the Western North region have hailed Ghana Bauxite Company Limited (GBC) for establishing a Community Relations Office in the community.
The office, according to them, will foster a cordial relationship between the catchment communities and the mining company, serving as a bridge to facilitate open communication and cooperation.
The residents said this initiative demonstrates the company’s new management’s commitment to developing the Awaso community and its environs.
The Community Relations Office, located in the heart of the Awaso community, was officially launched on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
The program was well attended by Ghana Bauxite Company Limited’s management and staff, traditional leaders, assembly members, and residents of the catchment communities.
It was chaired by the Western North Regional Minister, Hon Wilbert Petty Brentum, with the paramount chief of Sefwi Bekwai Traditional Area, Oyeadiyie Basapa Kojo Armah III, as the guest speaker.
They were assisted by the chief of Awaso, Nana Kwame Amponsah, and other religious leaders in the region.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, the chief of Awaso, Nana Kwame Amponsah, praised the Ghana Bauxite Company Limited for setting up a community relations office in Awaso.
He noted that the move is expected to strengthen the existing good relationship between Awaso, neighboring communities, and the mining firm through open dialogue.
Nana Kwame Amponsah III specifically commended the current management, led by Mr. Isaac Ofori-Poku, for listening to their request and establishing the community relations office.
“This gesture demonstrates the company’s commitment to building trust and fostering a positive relationship with the local communities, and we offer our full support to ensure that the centre operates effectively,” he promised.
GBC achievements and commitments
Addressing the gathering, the General Manager of Ghana Bauxite Company Limited, Alexander Gyedu, highlighted some of the achievements of Mr Isaac Ofori-Poku, who owns 80% of the company’s shares.
He stated that one of the visions of Mr Isaac Ofori-Poku was to reduce unemployment in the catchment area, “and true to his words, the company has increased its staff strength from 465 to 1,067 employees, with 976 males and 85 females since taking over in 2022.”
“As the first Community Relations Office established by the Ghana Bauxite Company, the office will help the company to fully live up to its corporate social responsibilities; in return, it will have serene environmental operations,” Alexander Gyedu added.
Collaboration and benefits
The Western North Regional Minister, Hon Wilbert Petty Brentum, said in his speech that his office will work together with the Ghana Bauxite Company Limited to ensure that benefits derived from the mining operations contribute positively to the lives of the communities.
He asked the communities not to engage in any environmental practices that have the tendency of disrupting the smooth operations of the bauxite mining firm to enable it to perform its corporate social responsibilities towards the communities.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Francis Appiah
