Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has awarded scholarships to 160 students from the Tarkwa and Damang operational areas of Gold Fields Ghana Limited.
The ceremony, held at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa on Thursday 19 June, marked yet another milestone in the Foundation’s long-standing effort to empower brilliant but financially disadvantaged youth to access tertiary education.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, former Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast , Prof. George K. T. Oduro, commended Gold Fields Ghana for its sustained support to education through the Foundation, which was established in 2002.
“The Ministry of Education acknowledges that government alone cannot shoulder the full burden of providing quality and equitable education to all. In this regard, Gold Fields’ intervention is not only timely but strategic,” Prof. Oduro stated.
He revealed that since its inception, the Foundation has invested over US$15 million, supporting 2,736 students from the host communities. He emphasized the transformative impact these scholarships have had—not just on individuals, but on families and entire communities.“Today, each of the 160 scholarship recipients stands as a beacon of hope, a symbol of community pride, and a future leader. Their journey will inspire others and contribute to the human capital needed for national development,” he added.
Prof. Oduro also highlighted various government initiatives, including the recently launched No Fee Stress Policy, under which over 129,000 level 100 students have applied for admission fee exemptions. He also announced that Ghana had recently secured a US$40 million grant from global partners such as the World Bank, Global Partnership for Education, and the Jacobs Foundation to boost skills development and TVET training.
He praised Gold Fields’ continued investment in education as aligning perfectly with the government’s inclusivity policy and called on other private sector entities to emulate the example.“Let this be a blueprint for public-private partnerships in education,” he declared, quoting Kofi Annan: “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress in every society and in every family.”
The event also featured a heartfelt speech by Emma Addy, who represented the 2024/2025 scholarship beneficiaries. Expressing deep appreciation, she noted that the support extended by Gold Fields went far beyond financial assistance.
“This scholarship is not just about money. It is a belief in our dreams, a vote of confidence in our potential. It gives us the wings to fly higher,” she said. Emma also thanked the Foundation’s board and staff for their behind-the-scenes work and recognized the support of parents, teachers, and mentors who had guided them through their academic journey.“To my fellow scholars, let’s honour this opportunity with excellence, integrity, and service. We carry the hopes of our communities and the trust of this Foundation,” she added.
The program was graced by traditional leaders, parents, educationists, and Gold Fields officials. It also saw recognition of the inclusion of students with disabilities, a first for the program, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to inclusive education.
