Since its inception in 2008, the Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF) has committed GH¢42.8 million to scholarship support for 14,307 individuals across its ten host communities in the Ahafo Region.
The beneficiaries comprise 7,862 tertiary students, 5,042 senior high school students and 1,403 apprentices who have acquired varied vocational and technical skills training. Recipients were drawn from the ten Newmont Ahafo mine host communities – Kenyasi No.1, Kenyasi No.2, Ntotroso, Gyedu, Wamahinso, Yamfo, Susuanso, Afrisipakrom, Terchire and Adrobaa – including their satellite towns.
Speaking at the maiden homecoming of scholarship beneficiaries held at Ntotroso in the Asutifi South District, Chairman of NADeF’s Board of Trustees, Prof. Yaw Ofosu-Kusi, noted that human resource development remains a core pillar of the Foundation’s operations. He said the beneficiary statistics are “not just mere figures but a representation of transformed families, empowered individuals and communities reimagining their potentials.”
He described the event as a celebration of progress, shared dreams, resilience and the extraordinary journey the communities have taken together over the past 17 years, adding that many beneficiaries are now serving in critical roles nationwide and abroad. These include doctors, nurses, engineers, ICT professionals, teachers and entrepreneurs contributing to local economic development.
The Executive Secretary of NADeF, Elizabeth Opoku-Darko, urged beneficiaries to support development in their respective communities after the Foundation’s investment in their education and skills training. She stressed that beneficiaries must “look beyond themselves in transforming society,” cautioning them not to lose sight of their roots.
She further noted that NADeF’s objective goes beyond awarding scholarships to equipping young people with the capabilities required to drive inclusive and sustainable development in the host communities beyond the lifespan of the mines.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mrs. Vida Owusu Prempeh, Senior Lecturer at Sunyani Technical University, encouraged beneficiaries to embrace networking as a tool for community development. She argued that effective networking fosters purposeful collaboration and creates support systems that help beneficiaries better understand local challenges and opportunities to design responsive interventions.
The homecoming attracted hundreds of scholarship beneficiaries, including Ahafo Regional Minister, Charity Gardiner, and Asutifi North District Chief Executive, Hafiz Dauda. The event, held under the theme “Connecting the past, inspiring the future,” provided a platform for beneficiaries to reconnect, share experiences and reflect on their roles in advancing development within Newmont’s host communities.
