Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) has awarded scholarships totalling US$ 240,000 to 75 students in host communities of Aboso Gold Fields (Damang Mine) in the Prestea- Huni Valley municipality of the Western Region.
The package focuses on primarily engineering courses including mining engineering, electrical and geology and covers the entire years of beneficiaries’ tertiary education.
However, considerations are also given to other sciences like medicine and nursing and other humanities.
Each beneficiary would receive GH¢6,000 annually for the payment of school fees, hostel bills and other academic materials, including laptop computers and textbooks.
So far, the GFGF scholarship scheme has supported 747 students to the tune of US$1.04million.
The Community Affairs and Stakeholders Engagement Manager, Aboso Gold Fields Damang Mine, Mr Abdel-Razak Yakubu, revealed on Tuesday at the 2021/2022 GFGF scholarship awards ceremony at Kyekyewere in the Prestea- Huni Valley municipality.
He explained that, this year, the scholarship selection committee made conscious effort in awarding about 49 per cent of the scholarships to ladies from the host communities.
This efforts, he said, was important as Gold Fields celebrated the International Women’s Day on Tuesday, adding that, it also showed their significant contributions to the achievement of the United Nation (UN)’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) on providing good health, education and the promotion of gender equity.
Mr Yakubu said Gold Fields Ghana (GFG) believed that the development of the human capital, through education and skill development, was the most effective tool to overcome poverty in Ghana, particularly in its host communities.
He, however, noted that, it was unfortunate that, a good number of otherwise brilliant youths of these communities were unable to realise their human potential, largely due to the lack of financial support to pursue higher education.
The Head of Counselling Unit at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa, Mr Theophilus Andoh- Robertson, told the beneficiaries that the future of Wassaman was bright, but advised them to be disciplined and focused in their studies.
“Others are struggling to pay their fees, you have been lucky due to GFGF scholarships; GFGF is doing their part for the country. Work hard, improve your performances and be good and faithful ambassadors.” Mr Andoh-Robertson advised.
The queen mother of Subri, Nana Ama Saara II, stated that “This is not the time for you to raise your shoulders, stop the ‘guy guy’ attitudes and bring honour and glory to Wassaman. Avoid too much of social media. We have lagged behind in the past but we now want to forge ahead for our collective good and development.”
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, KYEKYEWERE