BCS News
BCS, along with Public and Private Stakeholders in Africa’s Extractive Industries Agree that Collaboration is Critical to Successful Community Development
Cape Coast, Ghana, May 20, 2008
IFC Oil, Gas, and Mining Sustainable Community Development Fund together with Business-Community Synergies and Environmental Resources Management led a workshop in Elmina, Ghana with industry professionals. Participants from Chevron, Gold Fields Ghana, Newmont Mining, Rio Tinto Alcan, and the Ghana Chamber of Mines, community leaders and local government officials from across Sub-Saharan Africa shared experiences and methods for maximizing the benefits of extractive industry projects for local people.
Experts agreed that if the extractive industry is to continue expanding in Sub-Saharan Africa, companies, local communities, and governments must work together to ensure that people benefit from oil, gas, and mining projects.
The extraction and sale of gold, copper, oil and other natural resources plays an increasingly important role in creating jobs and wealth for African nations, particularly when commodity prices soar. To sustain such benefits as employment, training, and opportunities to sell goods and services, companies must share responsibility for development projects with local governments and community leaders.
IFC Country Manager for Ghana, Imoni Akpofure, pointed out that: "Companies are increasingly recognizing that the quality of local development affects their bottom line through productivity increases, risk mitigation, and improved global reputation. The most effective way to ensure success is to include local stakeholders in the planning and implementation of community development programs."
Rio Tinto Alcan’s Vice President for Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Mathieu Bouchard, confirmed. "We are committed to building solid and positive relationships in the communities where we operate and believe that participatory approaches are innovative ways to unlock value."
Nana Kweku Baah I, Chief of New Atuabo, near Tarkwa in western Ghana, agreed. "I believe that it is only through effective engagement, collaboration and transparent partnership among all the stakeholders, especially between the mining companies and our community members, that our natural resources can be effectively harnessed for our mutual benefit."
Newmont Ahafo Mine Women’s Consultative Committee member, Beatrice Akyiaa remarked: "The workshop has really opened my eyes on the need for us, especially women to also participate in the planning and decision making concerning development projects in our communities. I am ready to present what I learned to my fellow women at our next WCC quarterly meeting."
Joyce Aryee, Chairman of Public Relations Committee of the Ghana Chamber of Mines summed it all up: "Community relations is a key component of the industry’s community development and social investment agenda. The lessons learnt at the IFC’s CommDev workshop in Elmina will enhance the ability of Chamber members to impact positively on the socio-economic development of mining communities."
For more information, contact:
A. Rani Parker, RParker@BCSynergies.com
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