In a landmark investment aimed at expanding access to tertiary technical education in Ghana’s mining belt, Newmont Africa has officially handed over a newly completed GH¢13.9 million satellite campus in Kenyasi Number Two, in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region, to the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT).
The facility, funded by Newmont through the Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF), was officially handed over at a colourful ceremony marked by traditional performances and attended by government officials, traditional leaders, and representatives of the mining company.
The project makes Newmont the first mining company in Ghana to construct and hand over an entire university campus to the government.
The new campus comprises a four-storey academic block with eight lecture halls, an ICT laboratory, a library, five offices, a server room, an elevator and ten washrooms. It also includes a four-unit lecture pavilion with additional lecture halls, walkways and washroom facilities. An abandoned office complex formerly used by the Newmont Ahafo South Mine has also been renovated to serve as the campus administration block.
Speaking at the ceremony, NADeF Board Chairman, Prof. Yaw Ofosu-Kusi, described the project as a demonstration of what strong partnerships between communities, traditional authorities, local government, development partners and civil society can achieve.
He commended the Omanhene of Kenyasi Number Two, Odeneho Dadieko Kwabena Nsiah Ababio, and the community for championing the initiative, stressing that the benefits of the campus would extend beyond Kenyasi to the entire Ahafo Region and the country.
Long-term strategy
General Manager of Newmont Ahafo South Mine, Ing. Alex Kofi Annin, said the project forms part of Newmont’s long-term strategy to strengthen education and skills development in the region.
He noted that NADeF has already invested in key educational infrastructure, including the Ntotroso College of Nursing and Midwifery, the Kenyasi Police Training School and the ongoing construction of a College of Education at Kenyasi.
According to him, establishing a UMaT campus in Ahafo will bring quality technical education closer to young people, creating opportunities to acquire industry-relevant skills and pursue careers in mining, engineering and technology.
Commendation
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, praised Newmont for what he described as exemplary corporate social responsibility and reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting the new campus.
He announced that approval would soon be granted for the recruitment of staff for the facility and pledged that government would provide a bus to support its operations.
“This project demonstrates what can be achieved through effective collaboration between government, industry and local communities in ensuring that mineral wealth translates into lasting development,” he said.
For his part, Odeneho Dadieko Kwabena Nsiah Ababio pledged the full support of the Kenyasi Number Two Traditional Council to the success of the campus and disclosed plans to construct a modern hostel to accommodate students.
Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion were the Director-General of Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai and the Vice-Chancellor of UMaT, Prof. Richard Kwasi Amankwah.
The Omanhene of Ntotroso, Barimah Twereko Ampem, who is also the President of the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, presided over the ceremony.
About NADeF
NADeF was established in 2008 through an agreement between Newmont Ghana Gold Limited and the Ahafo Social Responsibility Forum to finance sustainable community development in Newmont’s host communities. The Foundation is funded through an annual contribution of US$1 for every ounce of gold produced by the Ahafo Mine and one per cent of the mine’s net profit. These resources support investments in education, health, infrastructure and livelihood programmes across the Ahafo area.
