Stories from Alfred Adams
The management of Goldfields Ghana Limited (GGL), a mining firm operating in Tarkwa, on Monday paid a courtesy call on the custodian of Wassa Fiase lands, Osagyefo Dr. Kwamina Enimil VI, to introduce the recently appointed Senior Vice President of GGL for the West Africa Region, Mr. Alfred Baku.
The courtesy call afforded the management of GGL to seek the blessings of Osagyefo Dr. Kwamina Enimil VI, and inform him of the appointment of Mr. Alfred Baku as the first Ghanaian to be promoted into such a high office. Per the appointment, Mr. Baku would be serving on the GGL Executive Committee.
Speaking at the function, Mr. Baku expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the Omanhene for the various support and advice the latter had been offering him. He added that his appointment and promotion was a victory for Ghana as a whole, and a vindication of his meritorious service.
Mr. Baku, however, admitted that his appointment had come at a time there was crisis in the gold industry, which had seen the gold price fall below expectation. “I have accepted the position at a time there is crisis in gold production and sale.”
But, this, he said, would not detract him, since he believed it was only a leader who worked to turn things around.
He added that GGL used to produce a total of 730,000 ounces of gold, but this had drastically reduced to 630,000 ounces. This sad development, according to him, called for restructuring.
Responding, the Omanhene of Wassa Fiase, Osagyefo Kwamina Enimil VI, put it bluntly that the promotion of Mr. Baku was a vindication of meritorious service offered GGL.
Osagyefo Dr. Kwamina Enimil VI, who is also the President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs and a member of the National House of Chiefs, however, advised the GGL to tread cautiously in undertaking its restructuring exercise. This was because the exercise was not only going to affect employees of GGL, but their dependants as well.
Mr. Alfred Baku, until his appointment as Senior Vice President for the West Africa Region, was the Vice President, Operations, with both the Tarkwa and Damang mines reporting to him. He was born, grew up in Kumasi, and attended the TI Ahmadiya Senior High School.
He holds an MSC degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Mines and Technology. He also holds s statutory Mine Managers Certificate, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Mining Metallurgy.
Mr. Alfred Baku’s role as head of the West Africa Region of GGL will be to improve the GGL’s relationship with key stakeholders in Ghana, and as well, take responsibility together with the GIP team for the next development phase of the Yanfolila project in Mali, as well as other potential opportunities in the region.