SpotlightAfrica. A Publication of Lets Go Africa Foundation. African Resources Sustainability and Social Investment Conference ICS COPPER SYSTEMS

Transcription

1 SpotlightAfrica A Publication of Lets Go Africa Foundation Volume 1 No.1 African Resources Sustainability and Social Investment Conference ICS COPPER SYSTEMS OMG NEWMONT MINES ANVIL MINING ERHC ANADARKO PETROLEUM 1

2 Editorial Our goal is to build Community Development programs to improve the standards of living in the towns and villages in Africa. Kwasi Bosompem Executive Director, Let's Go Africa Foundation Kwasi Bosompem is a Development Planner focusing on Community Development matters as they pertain to land use, environmental and residential developments. Mr. Bosompem has an extensive experience in Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe. Lesotho and South Africa. He has worked for many local governments and the private sectors on major comprehensive plans and the Development Plans to promote the efficient use of land, economic development and improve public safety Mr. Bosompem was born in Ghana and is the founder of Let s Go Africa Foundation. Mr. Bosompem is also the author of three books. He graduated from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana, 1981 with a B. Sc in Community Planning. He also has Masters degree in Community Planning from the University of Maryland Contact Information: Let s Go Africa Foundation- letsgoafrika@aol.com: org TPI- telcomplan@aol.com www. tpinetworks.com Fax The Let's Go Africa Foundation is a non-profit organization created to educate disadvantaged population in America and improve the lives of the people in African Countries by promoting social and economic development and cultural exchange. Our goal is to support the poor and also build partnerships by research, training, exchange programs and better life options for all. Our programs aim to create awareness and the need for community development, health, infrastructure and stability for growth. The Foundation was formed in February of 2001 exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of Membership is free and open to anyone with an interest to help Africa. The Foundation seeks to build Community Development programs to improve the standards of living in the towns and villages We can then empower individuals by providing them with the skills they need to effect change in their own communities. The strategy to achieve this is to attract an increased and greater foreign investment in African Resources and adopt a win-win situation whereby investors can have profitable foreign investments 2 an at the same time assist in local Community Development Programs. The Foundation aims to educate the poor in Urban America about the wrong information they read about Africa. There are many institutions that poorly educate people in America and leaving them with few skills to research for an intelligent truth. The Internet is one of the most consulted sources of information with many-tomany readers writing negatively about investments in Africa. It is relatively easy to be misled and to mislead. Students who seek such information themselves are often unable to assess its reliability since they are mostly no experts, and sometimes lack even the slightest knowledge of the topics in Africa. The problem does not go away but merely changes its format when it comes to investments in Africa. Thus our campaign is to educate the disadvantaged people in the United States about Africa with regards investments in natural resources, that help our people, cities and towns.

3 African Resources Sustainability and Social Investment Conference Washington, D.C, January 25, 2008-More than 300 Washington area high school and middle school students and their teachers learned about mining and oil industries in Africa and their sustainability and social investment programs at an African Resources Sustainability Educational Workshop. The event was organized by the Let s Go Africa Foundation (LGAF)and hosted by the Embassy of Ghana. It was moderated by Ms. Margaret Udahogora of the Foundation. The Ambassador of Ghana, His Excellency Dr Kwame BawuahEdusei, recognized the efforts being made by the Government of Ghana to strengthen the mining industry. He stated in his speech that We as Africans understand the importance of supporting the hundreds of families depending on these resources. He highlighted the efforts of mining and oil companies in Africa and called for an effective and balanced management of natural resources. Also in an address to the hundreds of students, Ambassador Kenneth Brown, a director with Anvil Mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) explained and highlighted The Ambassador of Ghana, His Excellency Dr Kwame Bawuah-Edusei Ambassador Kenneth Brown, of Anvil Mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) able Development and Extractive Industry by Dr Yaw Adade of the Let s Go Africa Foundation and a showcase of exhibits by mining and oil companies. In the discussions, the students explored the social investment and sustainability programs in Dikulushi in the DRC in particular and by mining companies in Africa in general. The event included presentations on Sustain3 solutions to several problems that affect extractive business in Africa. They also learnt about many of Africa s natural resources and corporate social, economic and environmental sustainability

4 of these resources. The Executive Director of Let s Go Africa Foundation, Mr. Kwasi Bosompem, who is also a Development Planner, highlighted the need for investments companies to issue a periodical report on Sustainability of Resources and the Social Investment programs. He also lectured the students on the need of an increased investments in mining in Africa and academic training in Geology, Geodetic Engineering and Sciences. About 15 High Schools participated in the event and a quiz and competition on mining and oil resources in Africa was held with prizes awarded to winning schools. Ms. Margaret Udahogora, presented prizes to the schools and students. The Exhibitors who sponsored the event included, Newmont Mining, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Banro Gold, ICS Copper Systems, La Quinta Resources, Anvil Mining, Amxil Inc, OM Group, ERHC Energy Inc., Exxon Mobil, American Chemistry Society and TPI Consulting. The presentation of the exhibits was done by Kwasi Bosompem. He highlighted on the need by mining and oil industry in Africa to help bring about economic development and poverty alleviation in Africa. Mr. Bosompem stated, that the Let s Go Africa Foundation and the TPI Con- Dr Yaw Adade of the Let s Go Africa Foundation students happy to be at the conference extractive business were discussed. The Let s Go Africa Foundation seeks an innovative model that promotes Community Development with good business rather than unsubstantiated arguments against extractive companies. Africa needs these investments he stated. Mr. Kwasi Bosompem discussed with the stu- sulting has positioned itself to assist these extractive companies to understand the concerns of communities and work collaboratively in search of a Community Development Plan to promote public good as well as good business for investors. Issues such as environmental damage and disposal of waste associated with these types of 4 dents on Anvil Mining s approach to corporate social responsibility building on successful community development programs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Issues reviewed and discussed by students include profits by Anvil held in trust for the local communities, schools and hospitals built for the people.

5 Teachers and students attentively listening to a lecture on Africa Anvil s operational targets and its impact on the community were also reviewed. Axmin Inc exhibited its responsibility programs in its gold explorations in Africa. Remedies for environmental issues and disposal of mine waste was also discussed by the students. Of particular interest to the students was the farming projects undertaken by Axmin Inc for women in Mali. Africa has the greatest proportion of children who are orphans. In 2001, 34 million children in sub-saharan Africa were orphans, one-third of them due to AIDS. Because of AIDS, the number of orphans is increasing dramatically. By 2010, the number of orphans will reach 42 million. Twenty million of these children - or almost 6 percent of all children in Africa - will be orphaned due to AIDS. This is the focus area for ERHC Energy in Africa. The company has assisted the Jabi Orphanage Home, in Abuja, Nigeria. ERHC supports the orphanage, which takes in abandoned children. It is currently is home to 35 youngsters ranging in age from a few weeks to five years old Mr. Kwasi Bosompem discussed the issue of abandoned children in Nigeria. The main focus of ERHC is to assist underprivileged children(orphaned & motherless babies). through proper care and awareness. The company engages in rehabilitation by giving them basic survival needs such as food, clothing, shelter, healthcare and education. Anardarko Petroleum has been equally committed to be an integral part of the communities where they operate through volunteer involvement. With their petroleum explorations in Mozambique and Sub-Saharan Africa Anadarko has been enhancing value in international growth areas, by mobilizing volunteers to help rebuild lives after disasters, acting to support 5 global needs, organizing food and clothing drives or working fight against cancer, Mr. Kwasi Bosompem engaging the students on Anardarko Corporate Responsibility programs. Mr. Bosompem explained the different dimensions of sustainability programs undertaken by ICS Copper Systems in the Zambia, namely environmental, social and economic. ICS Copper Systems have developed farms for the communities and have supported both educational and health programs Of particular interest are the support and contributions by ICS Copper Systems for the people. The students noted that ICS Copper Systems recognizes the importance of good corporate citizenship as an evolving public good. It undertakes good care of its employees, support local charities, review labor conditions and undertakes mitigation of global environmental impacts.

6 Teachers from the various schools and Lets Go Africa Foundation team It was noted that Newmont Mining in Ghana has one of the laudable programs with exploration and operating of closed mines in a manner that provides long-term value. Newmont Mining demonstrated at the Conference the three key principles, economic activity that are considered in relation to their respective social and environmental consequences; second, in using resources to meet the needs and expectations of future generations; and third, government, business and other segments of civil society working together to balance these needs.. The students assessed at the event Newmont s high standards for protecting human health and the environment and working in cooperation with our host communities to create sustainable, long-term economic and social opportunities. As a leading international producer and marketer of value-add- ed, metal-based specialty chemicals and related materials. OM Group operations in Africa drew much attention from the students due to many reports by other NGO s writing about Cobalt from the Congo. The students had the opportunity to learn about the legitimate business of the OM Group and its contributions to local economic development in Africa It was learnt that OMG has an excellent occupational safety, risk management, occupational health, the bio-physical environment, community investments and a wonderful stakeholder engagement in the DRC. The students also discussed OM Group s signatory to the international chemical industry Responsible Care Global Charter. The company as noted, continues to meet its commitment through continuous improvement in safety, health, environmental, and product stewardship performance, using the principles and manage6 ment practices of the Responsible Care initiative The students noted the medical supplies and donations by La Quinta Resources to the Management Committee of the MUUNGANO Hospital of Kampene in the Congo The package of medical drugs given to the hospital was a r relief for the whole population of Kampene; this aid will not only save human lives in Kampene but also of all populations of surrounding villages and of neighboring collectivities. Other issues that came during the discussions was La Quinta to demonstrate its environmental responsibility also in the Kampene region At the ExxonMobil exhibit table, there were discussions on Emission, Oil Spills, climate change and clean energy. The students promoted a discussion on the environmental issues and ask questions or how they can train to be scientists to work at ExxonMo-

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