GMWU Honours Eric Asubonteng for Service to Mineworkers

The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union (GMWU) has fittingly recognized Eric Asubonteng, a distinguished figure in the mining sector, for his unwavering dedication to the welfare of mineworkers. This special award, presented during the National May Day Parade in Koforidua, underscores Mr. Asubonteng's significant role in advocating for fair labor practices, enhancing worker safety, and fostering sustainable growth within Ghana's vital mining industry.

Mr. Asubonteng, a seasoned chartered accountant with over two decades of executive leadership, has been instrumental in bridging the gap between mining companies, the government, and organized labor. His tenure as President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines saw him champion policies that harmonized productivity with the essential needs of workers, earning him accolades such as Overall Outstanding Business Leader of the Year in 2019 and Mining Personality of the Year in 2023. This latest honor from the GMWU further cements his legacy as a champion for the industry's backbone: the mineworkers.

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This honour belongs to every mineworker who goes underground or into the pit each day. My role has always been to ensure that the wealth we create from Ghana’s soil translates into safer conditions, fair wages and real opportunity for the men and women who make this industry possible. Partnership with unions like GMWU is not optional, it is the foundation of a sustainable mining future.

In his acceptance, Mr. Asubonteng rightly dedicated the award to the mineworkers, emphasizing that the wealth generated from Ghana's resources must translate into tangible benefits like safer conditions, fair wages, and real opportunities. His statement, "Partnership with unions like GMWU is not optional, it is the foundation of a sustainable mining future," resonates deeply within the Ghanaian context, where the mining sector is a critical economic driver. This perspective highlights a local understanding that true progress in the industry hinges on a collaborative spirit, a notion often overlooked in purely profit-driven international narratives.

The GMWU, a formidable advocate for mineworkers, has a proven track record of securing substantial gains, including dollar-indexed minimum wages and robust occupational health and safety frameworks. General Secretary Abdul-Moomin Gbana's commendation of Asubonteng as a leader who is "firm on business, but unwavering on worker welfare" speaks volumes about the values prioritized in Ghana's labor relations. This award is not merely a recognition of an individual but a powerful statement about the standard of engagement expected from all mining executives, reinforcing the union's commitment to collective action and dialogue over division.

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Comrade Asubonteng represents the kind of leadership our industry needs, firm on business, but unwavering on worker welfare. He listened when it mattered, negotiated in good faith, and understood that no mine can thrive if its workers are left behind. Today, we honour not just a man, but a standard of engagement we expect from every mining executive in Ghana.