Features
The essential decisions to establish a bauxite refinery
In line with the desire to process part of its raw materials before export and to ensure high generation of income for the country as well as make the country independent of other economies, the Government of Ghana has decided to establish a bauxite refinery, the first of its kind, to process raw bauxite into aluminium products.
In total, it is estimated that the country has about 900million metric tonnes of bauxite minerals across three main locations in Ghana. These are Awaso in the Western Region, Nyinahin in the Ashanti Region and Kibi in the Eastern Region. Awaso has about 60 million tonnes, Nyinahin 700 million tonnes and Kibi 160 million tonnes.
STRATEGIC PARTNER
To be able to make this a reality, the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) has signed an agreement with a strategic partner, Rocksure International which is a wholly owned Ghanaian company. Being a Ghanaian owned company, Rocksure International operates across Ghana and West African sub region. It has expertise in mining, drilling, loading, and haulage services.
The good news about this is that unlike the previous practice where strategic investors were foreigners, this one is wholly Ghanaian owned going to show that Ghanaians today, under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, is poised to become truly economically independent as far as bauxite mining and refinery are concerned.
The project would require a huge investment amount of six (6) billion dollars. This will make it one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken in this country since the country became independent.
AMBITIOUS AND AUDACIOUS PROGRAMME
Not only is this programme ambitious, but it is also audacious, an indication that with certainty and boldness in our minds and planning, we would be able to go far and move the country to a higher pedestal of development. The amount of investment is to come from the private sector and once again it goes to show that with proper planning and coordination, the public sector can collaborate with the private sector to achieve the ultimate for the country.
Until this time, most of the raw materials in the country were exported in their raw form and this brings in a tiny amount of income which is used to purchase highly priced manufactured imports from developed countries. As a result of this practice, income earned by Ghana and other developing countries have always proved inadequate to cover our imports. This accounts for the poverty and poor standard of living experienced in many African countries including Ghana.
The setting up of the bauxite refinery to manufacture Aluminium products in the country is, therefore, a wake and clarion call to change our paradigm of development to be able to compete favourably with the rest of the world. With this arrangement, the vision of the president for Ghana-Beyond-Aid can become a reality. It will also show other African countries that they need to follow Ghana’s example and make their economic independence real.
COMPETITIVE BIDDING
The selection of the strategic partner, Rocksure International, did not come by chance. It was the result of rigorous series of processes involving about 39 companies which actively participated in the processes in form of competitive bidding. At the end of it all, Rocksure International was selected based on strategic competence, vision, and readiness to ensure the attainment of quality results for the bauxite refinery. The selection of the strategic investors covered a period of three (3) months in 2019 which goes to show that the selected company is fit for the job.
In view of the economic significance of bauxite, this project is likely to bring about the needed results and thereby bring about the desired economic impact for the country. bauxite is valuable because it is used in a lot of industries. An example is the chemical industry. It helps in refractory, abrasive cement, steel, and petrol industry among others. Similarly, it is used in the manufacturing of Aluminium chemicals. Again, in refractory it is used as a raw material for making several products.
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF BAUXITE
In view of the economic importance of bauxite, the refinery for bauxite reflects the determination of the leadership of the country to generate adequate income and establish Ghana as an example for the rest of Africa to follow. This is because we cannot continuously depend on raw materials for export, knowing that it is only through an Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI) that the country can advance economically to where it wants to be, rubbing shoulder to shoulder with the rest of active business players in the world.
It is common knowledge that raw minerals have been extracted or mined from prehistoric times. Indeed, the histories of civilisation, as well as industrial growth and advancement, have been linked with the ability of man to harness and use the materials available to him.
As a result of knowledge and technological innovation, there has been a continuous evolution and expansion in the minerals we consume and use in producing goods and services. Countries that can make use of technology and undertake safe mining have helped in sustainable development while those that are unable to do so live in abject poverty during plenty.
APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY
It is well known that countries that use appropriate technology to mine their minerals can generate more revenue and make life better for their citizens. Many countries in Africa are sitting on great wealth but are wallowing in poverty because of their inability to tap them and maximise their use in a safe and sustainable manner.
The point must be made that adequate supplies of minerals are very essential for manufacturing and construction. They are also essential for energy requirements as well as the agricultural sector for which reason we need to embark on sustainable development of a modern economy. Overall, the use of renewable energy sources, recycled materials and industrial by-products can be maximised to meet the needs of generations in countries while efforts are made to reduce waste.
Generally, minerals are essential for economic development in many ways. They help in construction to develop, maintain, and enhance our built environment and transport infrastructure. They also help in manufacturing to produce a wide range of industrial and consumer goods.
What is more, they help in transportation and electricity generation for use in the home, industry, commerce, and business transactions. Again, they are useful in agriculture and help to improve the productivity of the soil if the mining is carried out responsibly for sustainable development.
GHANA INTEGRATED ALUMINIUM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
The Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation has an enormous task that ought to be comprehensively and effectively implemented for the realisation of the development goals of our dear nation. It has been stated that there will be a project at Nyinahin-Mpasaaso and this will lead to the production of five (5) million tonnes of bauxite per annum with the capacity to create over one thousand (1000) direct jobs. Indirect jobs such as food and water services as well as clothing and textile products will even be far higher and that it is anticipated that mining operations, after preliminary works and studies is likely to commence within the next 24 hours.
A small country like the United Kingdom and many others have adequate supply of minerals which they utilise for their respective economic development. They can maximise its use through refinery activities, and, therefore, generally, they are richer than African countries.
Ghana’s decision to setup a refinery for its bauxite deposits is, therefore, a step in the right direction. When rigidly implemented to the letter, the country will soon move up and join the wealthy nations in Africa and the world.
Contact email/whatsApp of author:
Pradmat2013@gmail.com (0553318911)
BY DR. AMPONSAH-BEDIAKO
Conflict at work is more common than you might think. According to 2022 research by The Myers-Briggs Company, more than a third of the workforce reports dealing with conflict often, very often, or all the time in the workplace.
Addressing a dispute might feel tense or awkward, but resolving the conflict is typically well worth it in the long run. Whether you are trying to mediate conflict between colleagues or are directly involved. Last week we looked at three and this week is the remaining four steps you can take to manage workplace conflict.
4. Find common ground
The best way to handle workplace conflict is to start with what you can agree on. Find common ground between the people engaging in conflict. If you are directly involved in the conflict, slow down and focus on results instead of who’s right.
If you are the mediator for conflict resolution between coworkers, observe the discussion and help point out the common ground others may not see.
5. Collectively brainstorm solutions
When deciding how to handle workplace conflict, it can be tempting to problem-solve on your own. Sometimes, it feels easier to work independently rather than collaboratively. However, if you want to achieve a lasting resolution, you will need to motivate your team to get involved.
Brainstorm possible solutions together, and solicit input from everyone involved on the pros and cons of each option until you settle on a solution that feels comfortable to everyone. This will help all team members feel a sense of ownership that can help prevent future conflicts.
6. Create an action plan
Once you have created an open dialogue around workplace conflicts, it is time to resolve them. Just like any other work goal, this requires creating a concrete plan and following through.
Create an action plan and then act on it. It does not matter what the plan is, as long as you commit to it and resolve the conflict as a result.
7. Reflect on what you learned
All conflicts offer an opportunity to grow and become a better communicator. Identify what went well and what did not.
Work with your whole team to gather learnings from the conflict so you can avoid similar situations in the future.
Today, I continue with my narration of personalities and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland, with a focus on Mr Joseph Osei Amoah.
Mr Amoah is one of the senior members of the Ghanaian community in Finland and a top member of the Ghana Union Finland, an association of the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland.
He is an active and a well-respected person in the Ghanaian community in Finland. Mr Osei Amoah moved to Finland in the mid-1990s, and he has lived in Helsinki all this time.
Accomplishments and honours
It is important to recount accomplishments as part of the success stories of the personalities of Ghanaian descent in Finland in order to highlight their exploits both within the Ghanaian migrant community and in the wider Finnish society.
Mr Amoah holds a Master’s degree in Demography from the University of Helsinki. At the time he came to Finland in 1994, he had majored in Economics at the Bachelor’s level at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Sometimes affectionately called “Chairman” in the Ghanaian migrant community, Mr Osei is a former Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) branch in Finland, assuming office around 2015, a few months after the branch was formed, until 2019 when he did not run again for the elections. He helped to bring vibrancy into the NPP Finland branch.
Religious life
Mr Amoah is a prominent member of the Global Methodist Church in Finland. In spite of his busy working life and other responsibilities, he remains a committed member of the Global Methodist Church in Finland.
He plays a key leadership role in the church, which is attended by many Ghanaian migrants and other African migrants, Finns, and those of other nationalities.
His position in Asanteman Finland
Mr Osei Amoah is an outstanding member of the Asanteman Finland, where he is the Gyasehene, a prominent position as a sub-chief in the Asante (and Akan) royal hierarchy, in the functioning of the traditional authority systemgenerally in Ghana.
The Asanteman Finland is an association formed purposely with the aim of supporting each other as well as to ensure unity among its members and others outside of the group.
One of its top priorities of Asanteman Finland is to display the Asante culture in Finland. Mr Osei Amoah finds this as very important since by upholding the traditional culture and heritage, the association enables its members and especially the young ones to get the chance to learn and appreciate Asante and Ghanaian cultural values. They do this through rites such as marriage, the naming ceremony, and death and funeral rites, which makes the people to learn more of their provenance and not forget their origins.
“My point is that, by displaying the traditional heritage it helps people to learn more about their provenance. For, I think it will be embarrassing to go home and see that even the young ones have much knowledge about how to perform certain rites whilst those of us in the diaspora may be deficient in understanding those practices”, he argued. It is also very important for the young ones who are born in Finland to learn what the culture of their original society is, he continued.
The Finnish educational system
Mr Osei has a lot to say about the Finnish educational system, which he sees as very good. “When we came to Finland, education was free. There were library books and manuscripts readily available in the library, and one could print or make as many photocopies as possible for your studies. There was more flexibility. One could read books and write exams on them for the necessary grades in order to complete your studies”. In his opinion, Ghana could learn much from the Finnish system, which is one of the best in the world.
He said the only initial challenge he found in Finland was how to master the Finnish language, without which it was difficult to get a job befitting one’s status after the studies. But things have changed today and there are many English courses so it is easy to study and get a job that matches your studies, especially in the area of ICT, he said.
His role in the Ghanaian community
Mr Osei Amoah has been very active in the Ghanaian community, as I have indicated earlier. He is still very active in the Ghana Union Finland, and has played a leadership in many functions organised by the Union, as a non-governmental organisation for the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland.
Mr Amoah has been a counsellor and mentor who has guided many young Ghanaian migrants on their career paths and has also been part in settling various kinds of conflicts between opposing parties or persons. In conclusion, I would say Mr Osei Amoah has succeeded in embossing his name in the golden pages of visionary Ghanaians in both Sweden and Finland.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
