Zijin Golden Ridge Limited has reaffirmed its commitment towards supporting youth employment and career development in the Birim North District, encouraging young people to prepare themselves for opportunities both within and beyond the mining industry.
The call was made at the 2026 Zijin Employment Clinic, organised in partnership with the GhanaThink Foundation at the AVTI campus in Amanfrom, where young people were equipped with practical skills, career guidance and employability strategies to navigate an increasingly competitive job market.
The programme forms part of Zijin’s community development efforts following its acquisition of the Akyem Mine in April 2024.
Mr Harry He, the Vice President for Human Resources, Administration and Construction at Zijin Golden Ridge Limited, urged the youth to remain open-minded about their career journeys, noting that success often came through unexpected paths.
Drawing from his personal experience, he said he had dreamt of becoming a pilot but eventually studied civil engineering and later built a career in human resource management within the construction and mining sectors.
“Life is full of uncertainty. Your career may not necessarily be what you studied in school. What matters is preparing yourself for opportunities when they come,” he said.
Mr He encouraged participants to continuously improve their skills and remain ready to seize opportunities whenever they arose.
He stressed that Zijin’s role in the community extended beyond mining operations, saying: “We are here to do mining, but not only to do mining. We want to share the benefits with the community and help create better lives for people.”
Mr He also disclosed that technical studies and operational adjustments undertaken since Zijin took over the Akyem Mine, had significantly extended its projected lifespan.
He said although the open-pit operation was previously expected to close in 2027, but further studies and interventions had extended its life by nearly two decades, creating prospects for additional employment and economic opportunities for local communities.
Explaining the rationale behind the initiative, Mr Philip Ashon, the Communications and Media Relations Manager of Zijin Golden Ridge Limited, said employment consistently emerged as one of the major concerns raised during engagements with host communities after the company assumed operations of the mine.
He noted that the mining industry alone could not absorb all job seekers in the area, explaining that “We wanted young people to see opportunities beyond mining, whether in entrepreneurship, agriculture, technology or other sectors where they can build successful careers.”
Mr Ashon said the maiden employment clinic, held in 2025, attracted more than 300 participants and focused on CV writing, interview preparation and workplace readiness.
He said feedback from participants, however, showed a strong demand for career guidance, leading to this year’s expanded programme.
He said the partnership with the GhanaThink Foundation was aimed at exposing participants to a broader range of career pathways and practical opportunities for personal and professional growth.
“As long as we operate in the Birim North District, supporting community youth will remain one of our priorities,” he said.
Mr Charles Asuako Owiredu, the Member of Parliament for Abirem, also encouraged the participants to persevere through challenges and remain focused on their aspirations.
Sharing his personal story, he recounted how financial difficulties prevented him from pursuing his childhood ambition of becoming a pilot.
He subsequently trained as a teacher, later studied economics at the university, entered politics, served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and eventually became Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa with oversight responsibilities for four other countries.
“Things do not always go according to plan. What matters is your willingness to keep moving forward when circumstances change,” he told participants.
The day’s clinic featured sessions on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, digital literacy, agriculture, climate and green jobs, employability, career planning and emerging opportunities in technology and business.
Speakers consistently emphasised practical skills, adaptability, networking, digital competence and lifelong learning as critical ingredients for success in the modern world of work.
GNA
