21/07/2026
The planetGOLD Nigeria Project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented with the support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, recently convened technical leads, experts, project consultants, and members of the Project Management Unit for an intensive three-day capacity-building programme.
As part of the programme, our Founder, Lady Irene David-Arinze, facilitated a Communication for Development session titled:
“Communication Skills and Strategic Communication for Effective Project Execution.”
Given the people-centred nature of the project and the importance of sustained engagement with mining communities, the session explored a fundamental challenge in project communication:
“𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞.”
Her session highlighted that successful project implementation depends not only on technical expertise, but also on strategic communication, inclusive stakeholder engagement, active listening, and the ability to translate messages into clear understanding and meaningful action.
As the planetGOLD Nigeria Project progresses, these insights will be essential to strengthening institutional collaboration, building trust with mining communities, and advancing safer, more responsible, and sustainable artisanal and small-scale gold mining practices across Nigeria.
