INSIGHT
“ We need to learn to develop skills to tap into somebody else ’ s difference while building on what we have in common ”
– Beatrice Opoku-Asare , Newmont Mining Corporation ’ s Global Inclusion
& Diversity Director
“ For example , if someone says a particular job might be more difficult for a woman , that is a tough situation . Unconscious bias exists and I over compensate because I ’ m a woman . From early in my career I ’ ve gone out of my way to prove that I belong and to prove that I wasn ’ t given a role just because I was a woman . In Ghana , where we had a number of expats , I would over compensate to make sure I ’ m showing a national who is really bringing it to the people .”
She explains that she ’ s learned to see past the bias and just get on with her job . “ The pressure of all women in the world is not on my shoulders so I just need to show the best of myself as an individual to change the culture . If I want to be part of that change then I have to step up and support other women with the language to have these conversations and create an environment for discussion . I want to be part of the success story .”
It ’ s a success story Opoku-Asare ’ s
14 September 2017