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 shareholders 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 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 1914 in Ghana by Sir Albert Kitson, bauxite is an ore and the main source of aluminium. 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 allowed 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 have enough reserves to last for more than three decades.
In 2009, Bosai Group successfully acquired from the world mining giant, Rio Tinto, the Ghana Bauxite Company Limited. It was later found through exploration that the company owned the world’s best deposits of high alumina and low silica bauxite ore, the amount of which reached approximately 100 million tonnes in estimation.
In 2022, Isaac Ofori Poku, successfully acquired from Bosai Group about 80% share of Ghana Bauxite Company Limited with the remaining 20% owned by Government of Ghana.
Currently, the mine is owned by Isaac Ofori Poku (IOP) group of Companies 80% share and Government through Ghana Aluminium Development Company (GIADEC) 20%. The mine is an open pit with low stripping ratio which poses little difficulty for mining operation. 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 Tanium Oxide, less than 2% Silica Oxide.
Ghana Bauxite Company Limited Resources and Assets in 2022
- Contract Staff Strength (No of Employees) 465
When IOP took over as the major shareholder of Ghana Bauxite Company Limited in 2022, the Contract employees were 465.
1b. Current Contract Staff Strength (No of Employees) 1061
| Males | Females | Total |
| 976 | 85 | 1061 |
One of the major 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 itself. From 465 to 1061employees and the company is still employing.
- Equipment’s & Trucks
The number of equipment’s inherited was about 40 comprising of very old Pay loaders, Dozers, Excavators, Fuel bowsers etc.
IOP realized that, if it was to make an impact in the industry, then it must revitalize all the tools required to make the difference. As part of the strategic plan, it set out to acquire new and sophisticated equipment’s to boost production.
Three years into its acquisition of Ghana Bauxite Company Limited, it has acquired about 56 new equipment’s and 198 new trucks, both Short and long trailers.
Among them are:
| Equipment’s & Trucks | Quantity |
| Sino truck (Long Trailer Trucks) | 229 |
| RDT Trucks | 20 |
| TX 400 Dump Trucks | 22 |
| Howo 371 Trucks | 10 |
| Pay loaders | 16 |
| Dozers | 8 |
| Excavators | 11 |
| Grader | 1 |
| Water Bowsers | 2 |
| Fuel Bowser | 1 |
| Service Trucks | 2 |
| Rollers | 2 |
| Surface Miner | 1 |
| Gentsect | 10 |
| Driller | 1 |
| Tractor | 1 |
The Company has also bought 5 new buses, 8 Toyota Hilux Pickups, about 16 Poer Pickups, to enhance the movement of the Managers and other employees within the company.
This notwithstanding, the investment is still ongoing. Another Surface miner and a mobile crusher will be arriving in the Company by the end of March or second week in April.
Achievements
The huge investment made by IOP has started yielding results. The Chinese and the other previous owners from Europe and Australia were exporting less than a million tons.
However, In 2024, Ghana Bauxite Company Limited was able to export a little above 1,700,000 metric tons of bauxite ore to china and other parts of the world.
This achievement is unprecedented in the history of the company.
From the vision of the owner, Mr Isaac Ofori Poku, it’s clear that this is only a tip of the iceberg, the real success stories are yet to unfold, especially with a very Dynamic and energetic General Manager, supported by his able bodied Management team and all the employees, the vision of the owner and bankroller will materialize.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
