Newmont Ahafo North Graduates First Female Dozer Operators
Newmont’s Ahafo North project has marked a groundbreaking achievement in gender inclusion with the graduation of its first cohort of eight female dozer operators. The milestone signals a bold step toward building a more diverse and equitable workforce in Ghana’s mining sector.
The graduation ceremony, held at the project site, capped a rigorous 10-month training programme under the D10T & 844K Beneficiary Mastery Programme. The initiative combined simulator-based learning, theoretical instruction, and extensive hands-on training, including certified modules from the Minerals Commission, to ensure participants were equipped with the technical skills, safety awareness, and operational competencies required for modern mining.
“This is not just a graduation; it’s a historic achievement,” said Charles Bissue, General Manager for Ahafo North. “These women are pioneers. They challenged themselves, endured a demanding programme, and emerged as certified dozer operators. Their determination has set a new standard for what inclusion in mining can be.”
Each graduate received a Certificate of Competency from Newmont, officially recognizing their readiness to safely and efficiently operate heavy equipment.
The achievement forms part of Ahafo North’s Inclusion and Diversity agenda, which set a gender parity target in 2021. “This graduation is a major milestone toward that vision,” said Mina Duah, Director of People. “These eight women are not just operators; they are role models for the next generation of women in mining.”
By advancing women into technical roles traditionally dominated by men, Newmont is demonstrating its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities and reshaping industry perceptions. The graduation underscores the company’s long-term strategy of embedding diversity into its workforce while driving innovation and productivity in mining.
