Women in Mining Ghana has announced a new set of executives, as the advocacy group for women in the country’s mining sector looks to build on a decade of progress.
The decision was confirmed during a virtual meeting held on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
Senior Geotechnical Engineer, Rosemary Oppong Kwasie, now takes over as president from industry advocate Dr Georgette Barnes Sakyi-Addo, who has led the organisation through a period of steady growth and stronger visibility since its formal incorporation in 2015.
Rosemary possesses years of experience delivering safe, efficient, and sustainable solutions for mining and infrastructure projects across West Africa. Her work has significantly influenced the design and performance of mine pits, tailings storage facilities, and civil infrastructure, helping clients achieve operational safety, technical excellence, and long-term value.
Rosemary combines strong field expertise with strategic oversight and has played pivotal roles in notable projects such as the Tarkwa TSF expansions, IAMGOLD’s Essakane TSF, Endeavour’s ITY West Floutou Pit Design Review, Teranga’s Wahgnion TSF Stage 2 Raise, Perseus Edikan Mine TSF Raise, the Goulamina Lithium Project, Keegan Asanko Gold Project and Tonkolili Iron Ore Project. Her contributions effectively bridge the gap between technical insight and practical application, earning the trust of clients and delivering measurable impact. She is also the founder of Geomaven Services, which provides geological services to clients across Ghana and other African countries.
She currently works with SLR Consulting Ghana Limited and has previously worked with Sahara Natural Resources and Coffey Mining, now Tetra Tech.
The transition signals a new beginning for the association, with expectations that the new team will bring a sharper focus to training, advocacy, and leadership opportunities for women across the mining sector.
“Leading Women In Mining Ghana is both a privilege and a responsibility,” Ms Oppong Kwasie said.
“We’ve seen tremendous progress in recent years, and I’m committed to building on that foundation – ensuring more women not only enter the mining sector but thrive in it. Our focus will be on practical support: mentorship, skills development, and creating pathways for women at every level of the industry.”
The new executive team includes Rosemary Okla, a Geographic Information Systems specialist at the Ghana Geological Survey Authority, as First Vice President. Ms Okla, who holds qualifications in geological engineering and geoinformatics, has been instrumental in promoting business diversification for artisanal small-scale miners, particularly women, and has created jobs through jewellery production initiatives using development minerals.
Dr Yvonne Loh, a senior lecturer and hydrogeologist at the University of Ghana, will serve as Second Vice President. Dr Loh’s research focuses on groundwater systems and the impact of mining on water resources, and she has been vocal about the need for professionals to take a more active role in regulating Ghana’s mining activities.
Barbara Owusu Konadu, a mining engineer with over a decade of experience in project management, has been named General Secretary. Ms Owusu Konadu currently works as Manager Market Engagement and Development for West Africa at Ramjack Technology Solutions, and has led major mining technology projects across Ghana, Guinea and Ivory Coast. She is also the founder of SOAR Global Foundation, which supports children’s education in rural communities.
Other members are Evelyn Glover (Treasurer), Ellen Korley (Deputy Finance), Hillary Nyameba Tawia-Amissah (Deputy Treasurer), Angie Tetteh (Organising and Events Secretary) and Gloria Bentil Mensah (Deputy Organising and Events Secretary).
Reflecting on her tenure, Dr Barnes said: “It has been an honour to serve Women In Mining Ghana and to witness the growth of this movement. We’ve built something meaningful: a network that truly supports and empowers women across the mining value chain. I’m confident the new leadership will take the organisation to even greater heights, and I look forward to continuing to contribute in whatever capacity I can.”
Since 2012, WIM Ghana has served as an advocacy body for women working across the mining sector, from upstream exploration to downstream processing. It provides training, mentorship and networking opportunities whilst conducting research relevant to women’s advancement in the industry.
According to the Ghana Chamber of Mines’ 2023 demographic study, women represent approximately 10 per cent of the workforce in Ghana’s large-scale mining sector. Women in Mining Ghana has been working to improve these figures through advocacy, education and direct support programmes.
The transition comes at a time when Ghana’s mining sector faces significant challenges, including ongoing debates around artisanal mining, environmental sustainability, and the need for greater local content and diversity. The new leadership will inherit these pressing issues whilst continuing the organisation’s core mission of empowering women in one of the country’s most economically significant industries.
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