Named the Botae Pa initiative, which translates to "good purpose", Asanko said it was the brainchild of the Asanko Women in Mining chapter and is being funded 50:50 by the mine and its contractors.
The company said the initiative would build on its existing corporate social responsibility programmes and focus on achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls, by promoting the mining sector to women as an exciting career choice.
It would also focus on girls' and womens' needs in local communities in education, health, access to finance and business, and support professional development through mentoring and networking programmes.
Women represented about 10% of the mine's workforce, above the national average of 7% for the mining industry, Asanko said.
"Gender diversity isn't just a buzzword of the moment, it makes good business sense to have a workforce that is made up of the best male and female talent out there," Asanko president and CEO Peter Breese said.
"It's important that we continue to develop and promote the women within our business, as well as the girls in our local communities, as they are the next generation of leaders and decision makers and the Botae Pa Initiative provides a dedicated platform to fulfil this."
The gold mine notched up record quarterly gold production in September of 61,599 ounces, in its first full quarter with Gold Fields (JSE: GFI) as JV partner, and is expected to meet full year guidance of 200,000-220,000oz.
Asanko's shares, which have ranged from C55-$1.79 over the past year, were up 2.86% yesterday to $1.08 to capitalise it at $244 million.
