Telecel Ghana CEO urges mining industry to build agile people for tech-driven future

Patricia Obo-Nai, the CEO of Telecel Ghana, has called on Ghana's mining industry to adapt its talent development strategies in light of the rapid technological advancements that have transformed the telecommunications sector. Obo-Nai emphasized that a company's success depends on the agility and adaptability of its workforce, not just the technology it employs.

Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the Ghana Chamber of Mines' 7th Biennial Human Resource Conference, Obo-Nai highlighted three key priorities for building a future-ready workforce: fostering agile capabilities, integrating continuous learning into daily work routines, and leveraging diversity to enhance innovation.

Drawing parallels from her experience in the telecommunications industry, Obo-Nai argued that organizations that can adapt faster than the changes around them will thrive in today's dynamic environment. She stressed that employees must have ongoing opportunities to gain knowledge and skills, with learning embedded in their daily tasks. Obo-Nai warned that mining companies cannot afford to wait until their staff becomes outdated due to technological advancements, instead, they must invest in development continuously.

Furthermore, Obo-Nai urged the mining sector to make concerted efforts to increase women's participation in engineering, technology, and other technical fields. She pointed out that organizations miss out on valuable ideas and perspectives when talented women are unable to pursue technical careers due to a lack of clear pathways or representation.

Obo-Nai highlighted Telecel's Female Engineering Students Scholarship Programme and DigiTech Academy as examples of initiatives that provide financial support, practical training, and mentorship to young women interested in STEM fields.

Ghana Chamber of Mines CEO Dr Kenneth Ashigbey opened the conference by acknowledging the vast human potential within the mining industry and the need for deliberate efforts to develop the necessary capabilities for the future. Ashigbey emphasized the importance of collaboration between academia and industry to facilitate the exchange of research, knowledge, and talent.

He envisioned the future workplace as a space where individuals have the freedom to experiment, learn, and innovate, likening the mine of the future to a classroom. As Ghana's mining industry prepares for a technology-driven era, the Chamber of Mines' conference is placing a renewed focus on Human Resources as a critical driver of the sector's transformation and competitiveness.