In a move to foster stronger community relations, the Ghana Bauxite Company (GBC) has officially commissioned a Community Relations Office in Awaso. The initiative is expected to enhance engagement between the company and the chiefs, local authorities, and residents of the mining community.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Western North Regional Minister, Mr. Wilbett Petty Brentum, commended GBC for its commitment to deepening ties with the community. He noted that the establishment of the office signals a renewed approach to corporate-community collaboration, ensuring that local concerns are addressed and that development initiatives are undertaken in partnership with community stakeholders.
“It is very gratifying to know that the new management of GBC takes issues of the Western North Region, and Awaso in particular, seriously. This office will serve as a platform for discussions and collaborative development decisions,” Mr. Brentum stated.
Nana Basape Kojo Armah, the Paramount Chief of Sefwi Bekwai, lauded the company’s leadership under Ofori Poku Company Limited (OPCL), the majority shareholder, for prioritizing both investment in the mines and the well-being of the surrounding communities. He highlighted the significance of strengthening relations between the company and the local people, emphasizing that such partnerships create opportunities for economic growth and social development.
“I am pleased that OPCL, as majority shareholder of GBC, is deepening ties with the Awaso community and the Western North Region at large. This Community Relations Office will serve as a bridge for positive engagement between the company and the people,” Nana Armah noted.
GBC’s General Manager, Mr. Alexander Gyedu, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to fostering a positive and transparent relationship with the people of Awaso. He expressed gratitude to the chiefs and residents for their continued cooperation and pledged that GBC would continue to operate with a community-first approach.
“The commissioning of this Community Relations Office is a testament to our commitment to strengthening our relationship with the people of Awaso and beyond. GBC is more than just a mining company; we are part of this community, and we are determined to ensure that our presence leads to mutual benefits,” Mr. Gyedu stated.
GBC has operated in Awaso since 1940 and remains Ghana’s only active bauxite mining company. Under the new management of OPCL, GBC has significantly expanded its workforce, increasing employment from 465 to 1,061 staff members. The company has also invested in modern mining equipment to enhance productivity, ensuring that it remains a competitive force in the industry.
Looking ahead, GBC has outlined plans to go beyond raw bauxite exports by refining its ore in Ghana. The establishment of a local refinery is expected to add value to the country’s natural resources while creating additional employment opportunities for Ghanaians.
Furthermore, the company aims to foster economic opportunities that will benefit both the community and the national economy, attracting foreign investments and strengthening Ghana’s position in the global aluminum industry.
A Shared Vision for Development
The new Community Relations Office will serve as a hub for dialogue between the company and local stakeholders, ensuring that community concerns, employment opportunities, and developmental projects remain a priority. Through this initiative, GBC seeks to maintain a transparent and mutually beneficial relationship with the people of Awaso, reinforcing its commitment to responsible mining and sustainable community growth.
As GBC continues to expand its operations, the company remains focused on building lasting relationships with its host communities, ensuring that its growth translates into tangible benefits for the people of Awaso and the Western North Region.
History of Ghana Bauxite Company Limited
Bauxite was first discovered in Ghana in 1914 by Sir Albert Kitson. Bauxite is an ore and the main source of aluminum. Though the British Aluminium Company gave approval for the mining of bauxite in 1928 at Awaso in the country’s Western North Region, the exploration and mining works started only in the 1940s.
Ghana was admitted as a member of the International Bauxite Association in November 1974. Ghana Bauxite Company Limited has been working on the mining site in Awaso since 1941 and has enough reserves to last for more than three decades.
In 2009, Bosai Group successfully acquired Ghana Bauxite Company Limited from the world mining giant, Rio Tinto. It was later found through exploration that the company owned the world’s best deposits of high alumina and low silica bauxite ore, estimated to be approximately 100 million tonnes.
In 2022, Isaac Ofori Poku successfully acquired about 80% of Ghana Bauxite Company Limited from Bosai Group, with the remaining 20% owned by the Government of Ghana.
Currently, the mine is owned by Isaac Ofori Poku (IOP) Group of Companies (80% share) and the Government through the Ghana Aluminium Development Company (GIADEC) (20% share). The mine is an open pit with a low stripping ratio, which poses little difficulty for mining operations. The typical proportion of Al2O3 content in crude bauxite ore is approximately 49%, which can reach above 50%.
What We Do
At Ghana Bauxite Company Limited, we produce just one product:
- Bauxite Ore, which is processed into Washed and Unwashed Ore with +50% Aluminum Oxide, +17% Iron Oxide, +Minimum 1.60 Titanium Oxide, and less than 2% Silica Oxide.
Ghana Bauxite Company Limited Resources and Assets in 2022
Contract Staff Strength (Number of Employees)
When IOP took over as the major shareholder of Ghana Bauxite Company Limited in 2022, the contract employees numbered 465.
Current Contract Staff Strength (Number of Employees): 1,061
| Males | Females | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 976 | 85 | 1,061 |
One of the major goals of the owner, Mr. Isaac Ofori Poku, was to reduce the unemployment rate in the catchment areas and Ghana at large. The figures clearly speak for themselves, with employment increasing from 465 to 1,061, and the company is still hiring.
Equipment & Trucks
The number of equipment inherited was about 40, comprising very old pay loaders, dozers, excavators, fuel bowsers, etc.
Recognizing the need to modernize, IOP set out to acquire new and sophisticated equipment to boost production. Three years into its acquisition of Ghana Bauxite Company Limited, it has acquired about 56 new pieces of equipment and 198 new trucks, both short and long trailers.
Achievements
The huge investment made by IOP has started yielding results. Under the previous owners from China, Europe, and Australia, exports were less than a million tons. However, in 2024, Ghana Bauxite Company Limited exported over 1,700,000 metric tons of bauxite ore to China and other parts of the world.
This achievement is unprecedented in the company’s history.
From the vision of the owner, Mr. Isaac Ofori Poku, it is clear that this is only the tip of the iceberg. The real success stories are yet to unfold, especially with a dynamic and energetic General Manager, supported by his capable management team and all employees. The vision of the owner and bankroller will materialize.
Source: www.starrfm.com.gh/Isaac Justice Bediako
