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Fifty four (54) young adults from Togbekrom and other communities in the catchment area of Golden Star Wassa Ltd. (GSWL) have received certificates and self-employment start-up working tools after graduating from a six-month practical self-employment skills training program in Carpentry, Masonry and Cookery under the Golden Star Skills Training and Employability Program (GSSTEP). Initiated in 2009, GSSTEP seeks to provide basic skills in various self-employable trades, which will enable the young people in the company�s catchment communities to secure gainful employment and provide a better standard of living for their families. A release signed by public affairs manager of Golden Star Resources, Elaine Kwami, said since its inception three years ago, the initiative has seen placement opportunities being created for over 150 graduate trainees in various communities including Himan, Dumasi and Prestea in the Prestea Huni Valley District, and Benso and Ningo in the Tarkwa Municipality, all in the Western region of Ghana. The training for the youth of Togbekrom and surrounding communities also forms part of the livelihood restoration plan for the community which is being resettled as the current mining operations is bound to affect the communities concerned. Speaking at the ceremony, the Construction Manager of Golden Star Resources, Mr. Mike Hollywood underscored the peculiar features of (GSSTEP). He said that in order to address the issue of unemployment in the catchment communities, the Company, together with the support of the traditional leadership, looked at a number of initiatives over the years and in 2009, the programme was started at both mine sites of the Company. Mr. Hollywood said the curriculum was designed to ensure the provision of both theory and practical training over a period of six months in Carpentry, Masonry, Building Electricals, Mobile Phone Repair and Cookery. In a related issue, Golden Star Resources Limited has announced the appointment of Mr. Jerry Sylvanus Agala as the General Manager for the New Century Mine (NCM) of Golden Star Resources. The new appointment is meant to hasten the development of the underground mine. Accordingly, Jerry is required to spearhead the efficient and speedy transformation of the Prestea Underground Operation into a viable business unit to support the growth strategy of Golden Star Resources Limited. The new General Manager is a product of University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa � UMaT. He is currently pursuing an Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA) at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in Accra.