continuous improvement at gsr wassa& bogoso/presteamines ...€¦ · the organizational level...

The Organizational level was where fundamental and radical change in mindset was required.

About 80% of the entire workforce were taken through a four-hour session in batches of 20-30

employees, starting with Managers and Superintendents through to the shop-floor worker.

The training sessions for the general workforce was conducted in the local language (Twi).

The Operational level was where continuous Improvement processes or Kaizen, were

introduced. The underlying ideology of Kaizen is that nothing is perfect, and everything can be

improved.

A focus group made up of 20 employees selected from all departments of the company was

trained in some basic Lean tools such as Wastes identification, Practical Problem Solving (PPS)

and 5S. Also, a group of 21 employees were taken through a two-week Green Belt training

program.

CIbE recently supported the roll out Lean Six Sigma at both the organizational and operational levels.

Copyright ACPE Inc. 2017 1

Continuous Improvement at GSR Wassa & Bogoso/Prestea Mines in Ghana



Above: - Some Wassa management staff with the CIbE team. Right: - Managers’ training session in Wassa

The Union also had a separate training session; they expressed their willingness to be part of a training that would help improve the fortunes of the company, and by extension, those of the workers. Each session was characterized by open discussions and the identification of Wastes at the workplace and ideas generation session.

CIbE aims for sustainable continuous improvement

which is defined by leaders’ acceptance and

adoption of a different leadership culture to drive it.

The GM and managers at the training session at each

mine site adopted the Lean Leadership culture as the

way forward for the company.

To show their commitment, managers took turns to

explain their decision to workers at the general

sessions and affirmed their determination to be more

supportive in their leadership style.

Leaders lead culture



Above: - A manager presenting the new leadership model at one of the workers’

sessions

Above: - The GM, Jerry, giving words of encouragement to Bogoso management

staff after the session

Following the initial roll out of the foundation elements of Lean Six Sigma and cultural elements to the general workforce, 21 workers were trained as Green Belt (GB). The two-week training was in two parts.

The GB candidates were taught some Lean Six-Sigma tools and principles that will enable them to lead projects that will deliver value to the company. Each candidate is required to complete two projects leading to certification. Their first projects are at advance stage of completion.

The Green Belt training was done by CIbE in partnership with ACPE of Canada. It was a rigorous training that involved teach backs, project presentations, coaching sessions, and examinations. This is to ensure that the GB candidates are well-prepared to deliver maximum value to the company.

Green Belt Training



Above: - GB candidates listening to a project presentation by one of the

candidates

Above: - The candidates in a pose with Wassa Management team and CIbE.

Sort, Set, Shine, Standardize and Sustain (5S) is a Lean

tool used to organize the workplace to make it safe,

clutter free, and easy to identify and eliminate Waste.

The workers at Bogoso, soon after the training, went

into action to apply what they had learnt.

5S in action



Pictures: - 5S project by a belt at the Maintenance Workshop at Bogoso

With this in mind, workers of GSR were sensitized about the 7 + 1 Wastes that exist. This new

understanding enabled the workers to identify wastes that could be eliminated or reduced in

their work areas. Consequently, the break out session of each training was dedicated to waste

identification by groups. The wastes identified will become projects to be led by the Green Belt

trained and the focus BI group

Waste in the workplace costs businesses money



Above: - Some examples of waste.

Right: - some workers during the breakout

session discussing waste in the

workplace


Building a workforce that is engaged and committed to the success of your business.

continuous improvement at gsr wassa& bogoso/presteamines ...€¦ · the organizational level...

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