The Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF), in partnership with Liebherr, one of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited’s on-site contractors, continues to make a profound impact on the lives of young people from Ahafo’s host communities. Since 2013, the NADeF/Liebherr Scholarship has nurtured the dreams of brilliant youth, propelling them into promising careers in medicine, mining, engineering, education, and other critical sectors.
On Thursday October 2, 2025, at Ntotroso, three brilliant undergraduate science students were awarded scholarships under the 2025 NADeF/Liebherr Excellence Scholarship Awards.
The beneficiaries are Bezaleel Kwaku Mensah, who is pursuing Medicine and Surgery at the University of Health and Allied Sciences; Awuni Simon, a Pharmacy Technology student at the Sunyani Technical University (STU) and Joseph Amofa, who is studying Doctor of Pharmacy at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
Over the past twelve years, 18 talented beneficiaries from Newmont’s Ahafo host communities have received full educational support through this life-changing initiative. What began as a corporate social responsibility collaboration between NADeF and Liebherr has evolved into a powerful engine for human capital development, producing professionals who are now contributing meaningfully to Ghana’s growth.
Trail of beneficiaries
The first beneficiary, Elijah Boateng of Terchire, set a remarkable precedent in 2013 when he studied Mining Engineering at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa. Today, he is pursuing a master’s degree in mining engineering in the United States, demonstrating the scholarship’s potential to nurture global talent.
Since then, several others have followed in his footsteps. Dr. Beatrice Obeng Konama from Gyedu, a 2014 recipient, now serves as a Specialist in Internal Medicine at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi. Dr. Gottifred William Opoku Kumi from Yamfo, who benefited in 2015, currently practices at the Nyaho Medical Centre in Accra. Dr. Obed Asante Antwi from Susuanso, a 2017 awardee, is now a medical doctor at the Sunyani Teaching Hospital.
The scholarship has also opened doors beyond medicine and mining. Vivian Mansah of Adrobaa, who was supported in 2016 to study Mathematics at the University of Education, Winneba, now shapes the next generation as a Mathematics teacher at Sankore Senior High School.
Building a Skilled Workforce for Ghana
The partnership continues to align education with Ghana’s industrial and economic needs. Emmanuel Addo, a 2018 beneficiary from Ntotroso, is now a Mining Engineer with African Underground Mining Service at Ahafo Mines. Others like Fatimatu Abdulia and Kwartemaa Bernice Ewurabena have ventured into Medical Laboratory Science and Computer Engineering respectively, positioning themselves to contribute to emerging fields.
Recent recipients—Samuel Afriyie, Emmanuel Oteng, Amankwah Emmanuel, David Fosu-Nsiah Kyeremeh, and several others—represent the next wave of engineers, scientists, and innovators in training. The 2023 and 2024 cohorts include students pursuing programs in Environmental and Safety Engineering, Pharmacy Technology, and Medicine, ensuring the continuity of excellence and diversity in disciplines.
Sustaining a Legacy of Empowerment
What makes the NADeF/Liebherr Scholarship truly remarkable is not just the number of beneficiaries, but the transformation it brings to entire communities. Through these scholars, families are lifted, communities are inspired, and the Ahafo region is witnessing a steady growth of educated professionals giving back to society.
At a brief award ceremony held at the NADeF Secretariat in Ntotroso, Professor Yaw Ofosu-Kusi, Chairman of the NADeF Board of Trustees, commended Liebherr for its continued collaboration in building local human capacity. He noted that the scholarship initiative has produced professionals across various fields including mining and computer engineering, medicine, mathematics, geological and renewable energy engineering, and laboratory science—many of whom are now serving both in Ghana and internationally.
Prof. Ofosu-Kusi highlighted that NADeF actively partners with companies operating within Newmont’s host communities to support youth through academic scholarships and apprenticeship programs. He described the Liebherr/NADeF Excellence Scholarship Awards as a strategic initiative aimed at helping exceptional science students overcome financial barriers to their education.
He also urged the beneficiaries to honor their commitment to return and contribute to the development of their communities after completing their studies.
Reinforcing this message, Mr. Samuel Allan Abban, Vendor Held Stock (VHS) Manager at Liebherr Ghana Limited, congratulated the scholarship recipients and echoed the importance of giving back to their communities.
He reaffirmed Liebherr’s strong commitment to its corporate social responsibility obligations in Newmont’s host communities.
Prof. Ofosu-Kusi added that human resource development remains the largest investment area under NADeF’s community development initiatives, accounting for 28% of the foundation’s total funding allocation.
A Future Anchored on Education
As the latest beneficiaries—Awuni Simon (Pharmacy Technology, Sunyani Technical University), Bezaleel Kwaku Mensah (Medicine, University of Health and Allied Sciences), and Joseph Amofa (Doctor of Pharmacy, KNUST)—continue their academic journeys, they join a growing family of achievers whose stories began with opportunity and determination.
For over a decade, the NADeF/Liebherr Scholarship has proven that when corporate social responsibility meets genuine community partnership, education becomes more than a privilege—it becomes a bridge to a better future.
Credit: rbnewshub.com (rbnewsh@gmail.com)
