Strengthening the bond within the community
Community Engagement and Investment
The success of our company is intricately linked to our ability to maintain our “social license to operate,” demonstrating our commitment to creating value not only for the communities where we operate but also for the host governments that permit our activities.
Our goal is to forge robust partnerships with both local communities and government entities. By doing so, we respect local cultures and effectively manage the potential risks and opportunities presented by our operations. Our overarching aim is to foster long-term prosperity and provide lasting benefits through strategic investments in community development, capacity building, and the enhancement of social infrastructure.
Operating in the West African region comes with its unique set of challenges but also presents significant opportunities for both the communities and our business. The impact of our community investments often yields more substantial and direct benefits compared to similar efforts in more developed nations. We are committed to leveraging these opportunities to not only advance our corporate objectives but also significantly improve the quality of life for local residents. This includes educational programs, healthcare improvements, economic development initiatives, and infrastructure projects that are tailored to meet the specific needs and aspirations of the communities we serve. By aligning our business practices with the well-being of these communities, we aim to create a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship that supports both our corporate growth and community resilience.
Our Community Engagement Strategy
At Exoben, we are dedicated to building and maintaining enduring relationships with the communities that surround our operations. We understand the importance of collaboration and have committed to establishing effective communication channels that support direct and mutually beneficial interactions with community members. These channels are carefully tailored to meet the specific needs and characteristics of each community we engage with.
Our operations impact a diverse range of communities, each with its own unique socio-cultural background, religious beliefs, educational levels, and specific expectations and requirements. Recognizing this diversity, we have designed our communication strategies to be flexible and adaptable, ensuring that they are appropriate for the specific cultural and social dynamics of each community.
To further this commitment, we conduct regular community consultations to better understand and respond to local concerns and aspirations. These consultations help us refine our approach and ensure that our community relations are not only responsive but also proactive. We also invest in community training programs, local business development, and infrastructure projects that align with the community’s long-term goals.
Through these efforts, we aim to not only mitigate any negative impacts from our operations but also maximize the positive contributions we can make, fostering a sense of partnership and shared progress. This approach helps us to maintain a strong social license to operate and reinforces our reputation as a responsible and responsive corporate citizen.
Community Engagement and Integration
We hold the conviction that maintaining an open and continuous dialogue with the communities where we operate is essential for the early identification and mutual understanding of potential issues. This open communication is also critical in ensuring that all our employees and contractors are aware of and respect the rich cultural heritage and diversity within these communities, which we consider a fundamental aspect of our corporate responsibility.
Our operations are embedded in various local communities, each with its distinct historical backgrounds, cultural identities, religious beliefs, educational levels, and specific expectations and needs. To address this diversity, we have established effective, consistent two-way communication channels tailored to fit the unique requirements of each community. These platforms not only facilitate clear and ongoing dialogue but also help in building trust and fostering long-term relationships.
In addition to these communication efforts, we have implemented comprehensive grievance mechanisms designed to ensure fair, equitable, and timely resolution of any concerns or issues raised by community members. These mechanisms are accessible at our community information centers, where individuals can submit complaints in person. This approach not only demonstrates our commitment to transparency and accountability but also reinforces our dedication to the well-being and advancement of the communities we serve.
Moreover, we actively participate in community development programs that focus on education, health, economic development, and infrastructure improvement, which are aligned with the aspirations and needs of the local populations. By investing in such initiatives, we aim to contribute positively to the socioeconomic growth of these areas, ensuring that our presence yields beneficial outcomes for local residents. This holistic approach to community engagement highlights our commitment to being a responsible and constructive partner in every region we operate.
Our commitment to managing social impacts and risks is central to our operations. In collaboration with the communities where we operate, our objective is to identify, assess, and mitigate social risks effectively. Each of our operations is guided by a Community Management Plan, which plays a crucial role in systematically managing social risks through an integrated Environment and Social Impact Assessment approach.
In certain situations, our activities may necessitate the relocation of dwellings or the displacement of local businesses, including agricultural operations. Land access and resettlement thus emerge as significant issues for both Exoben and the communities located near our operations. While our primary aim is always to minimize the need for resettlement, there are instances where it becomes necessary to fulfill our operational requirements and strategic objectives.
Our organization adheres to comprehensive Land Access and Resettlement Policies and Procedures that provide robust support to both our operational teams and the affected community members during the resettlement process. These policies ensure that resettlement is handled with the utmost responsibility and sensitivity towards the needs and rights of the community members.
When relocation is unavoidable, we approach it as an opportunity to actively contribute to the long-term advancement of our communities. The core goal of our resettlement efforts is to ensure that the affected communities not only recover from the disruption but also experience an overall improvement in their quality of life. This includes enhancing access to better housing, infrastructure, and economic opportunities, thus supporting a sustainable future for the relocated individuals and families.
We engage extensively with the impacted communities through consultations to understand their needs and preferences. This participatory approach helps us develop tailored resettlement plans that align with community expectations and are culturally and socially sensitive. By maintaining transparent communication and providing adequate compensation and support, we strive to foster trust and cooperation, ensuring that resettlement leads to positive outcomes for all stakeholders involved.
Enhancing Benefits for Local Communities
Exoben is committed to maximizing the positive impact of our operations on the communities and nations where we operate. We achieve this through strategic community investment, creating local employment opportunities, offering skills-based training, and developing robust local procurement programs focused on enhancing the local supply chain.
Our approach involves not only providing direct economic benefits through job creation but also investing in the long-term development of the local workforce. By providing skills training, we equip community members with the knowledge and tools necessary to succeed both within and outside our operations. Furthermore, our local procurement strategies are designed to stimulate local businesses, promote entrepreneurial ventures, and strengthen the overall economic infrastructure of the communities we serve.
Beyond these initiatives, our economic impact includes the significant financial contributions to the local economies through the disbursement of wages to local employees. We also contribute to the national economy through the payment of taxes and royalties, ensuring that our operations support broader economic development and governance.
By integrating these efforts, we aim to create a sustainable model of operation that not only benefits Exoben but also promotes the prosperity of local communities. This holistic approach helps to foster a positive and enduring relationship with local stakeholders, reinforcing our commitment to responsible corporate citizenship and mutual growth.
Community Investment and Development Initiatives
Exoben is committed to fostering sustainable development in the communities where we operate by providing financial support for essential social programs and infrastructure projects. Our investment strategy is designed to enhance community well-being and long-term prosperity through the creation and support of initiatives that significantly improve local living conditions.
Our community development efforts go beyond mere compliance with the regulatory requirements of our host countries, which often mandate contributions to community development funds. We actively collaborate with community leaders to ensure that our contributions are effectively aligned with the local needs and priorities. This collaborative approach ensures that the projects we support—such as social development programs, cultural events, and sports activities—are well-received and genuinely beneficial to the community.
Additionally, our investments focus on critical areas such as livelihood enhancement and agricultural support, which are vital for economic stability and growth. We also prioritize the development of social infrastructure, including health facilities and educational resources, to improve access to essential services. These initiatives not only contribute to the immediate improvement of health and education outcomes but also foster a more resilient and self-sufficient community.
By strategically investing in these areas, Exoben aims to create a positive impact that transcends the duration of our operations. Our goal is to leave a lasting legacy of enhanced community capacity, improved social welfare, and stronger economic foundations, thereby ensuring that the benefits of our presence are sustained over the long term.
Boosting Local Employment and Procurement
Exoben is dedicated to creating meaningful employment opportunities, offering skills-based training, and enhancing business prospects within the communities where we operate. Our commitment is reflected in our employment policies, where local communities are given priority in hiring for both unskilled and skilled positions, with special emphasis placed on supporting women and other marginalized groups. This not only fosters local employment but also promotes inclusivity and diversity within our workforce.
Additionally, we have established requirements for our major contractors to prioritize job creation, ensuring that the benefits of employment extend throughout our supply chain. This approach helps to maximize the economic impact of our operations on local communities.
Our procurement strategies are designed to optimize local and regional content. We have implemented programs that establish partnerships with and prioritize local firms, aiming to stimulate sustainable growth and capacity development in these businesses. By doing so, we help enhance the economic independence and resilience of local enterprises.
Since the inception of our operations, we have worked closely with local suppliers to improve their operational capacity, capability, and overall performance. We take pride in the fact that the majority of our primary commodities and services are sourced from Ghanaian contractors. This includes critical areas such as mining, catering, in-country logistics, fuel supply, and security services. Moreover, a significant portion of our consulting services is procured from local firms.
Through these initiatives, Exoben not only contributes to the economic vitality of the regions where we operate but also builds a network of robust, local supply chains that support the broader community. These efforts are integral to our mission of empowering local communities, fostering economic development, and building sustainable business practices.
Social Impact and Risk Mitigation