Women in Mining (WIM) Ghana, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), with support from the Ford Foundation, West Africa, has provided skills training to 250 women from the Tarkwa-Nsuaem and Prestea Huni-Valley Municipalities in the Western Region.
The three-day training, which took place in Huni-Valley, Nsuta, and Nsuaem, covered practical skills in baked goods production, including bread, vegetable and meat pies, as well as liquid soap making, after-wash, and bleach preparation.
Madam Diana Nkrumah, a member of the WIM Ghana team, highlighted the importance of the training, citing the Gender Mapping Research commissioned in 2022.
The study aimed to understand gender imbalances within the mining sector, focusing on women professionals, entrepreneurs, those in Artisanal Small-scale Mining, and women living in communities affected by mining in the Eastern and Western regions of Ghana.
Nkrumah emphasized the need for mentorship, capacity building, public education, and institutional awareness to promote gender diversity and inclusion in the mining industry.
WIM Ghana's workshops aimed to empower women in mining communities with alternative livelihoods, offering them sustainable support during emergencies.
She expressed satisfaction with the turnout, encouraging the women to take their newly acquired skills seriously.
Madam Nkrumah expressed gratitude to Ford Foundation and WIM Ghana for the opportunity given to the women to establish their businesses and improve their quality of life.
Mrs. Cynthia Tetteh, Secretary of the Manganese Ladies Association, speaking on behalf of her colleagues, expressed appreciation for the training. She highlighted how the skills acquired would help them save money by producing their own products.
Tetteh commended Ford Foundation and WIM Ghana for the initiative and pledged that the women would use the skills to enhance their well-being.
WIM Ghana aims to advance women's participation in the natural resources sector, promoting economic empowerment and community transformation.
Their initiatives aim to increase the number and retention of women along the mining value chain, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 1, 5, 8, and 10.
WIM Ghana's activities encompass women in various mining-related fields, including industry, academia, governance, supplies, services, and Artisanal Small-Scale Mining (ASM).
Reporting by Erica Apeatua Addo: Editing by Adewale Adejoke