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.

Jerry started his working life with the erstwhile Canadian Bogoso Resources (CBR) as a Mining Engineer and worked his way through to top management levels. Prior to his appointment as the General Manager for New Century Mine, Prestea, he held the positions of Mining Manager and Mining Operations Manager for Golden Star Resources' Open pit mine in Bogoso.

Speaking on the appointment, Mr. Dan Owiredu, Senior Vice President of Golden Star Resources' Operations said: "Jerry's appointment is as a result of his demonstrated performance and commitment to the progress and steady growth of the Prestea Underground operations or what is now known as the New Century Mine (NCM), when he was given the opportunity to assume the role of the Acting General Manager.

"His promotion is in keeping with our corporate values and the overall strategy to employ our experienced human resources pool to the greatest advantage while enhancing shareholder value and greater opportunities for all our local stakeholders.

"As the substantive General Manager of NCM, Jerry is expected to play a critical role in the transformation of the underground operations into a viable unit to support the growth strategy of Golden Star Resources Limited. I have the greatest confidence in Jerry's capabilities which would assist us to deliver on our commitment to the resuscitation of the former Prestea Underground Operations".

Mr. Jerry Sylvanus Agala was born on 27th April 1960 in Fodome Helu in the Hohoe District of the Volta Region and had his elementary education in the Fodome Helu Roman Catholic Primary and Middle Schools. After obtaining the then Middle School Leaving Certificate with distinction, he entered the St. Paul's Secondary School in Denu in the Volta Region for his secondary school education and obtained his Ordinary Level (O-Level) Certificate with distinction.

He then proceeded to the St. Peter's Secondary School in Nkwatia Kwahu in the Eastern Region for his Advanced Level (A-Level) Certificate Science option, after which he gained admission into the then Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST) - School of Mines Tarkwa (now University of Mines and Technology - UMaT).

He has a Second Class Upper Division for his Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree (Mining Engineering) and also holds a Postgraduate Diploma Certificate in Mining Engineering both from UMaT. He is currently pursuing an Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA) at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in Accra. He attended several management courses and workshops in Ghana, South Africa, Australia and the US. He is a member of the Technical Committee of the Ghana Chamber of Mines.