Story by Richard Kofi Boahen
The Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF), in partnership with Liebherr Ghana, has awarded its 2026 Excellence Scholarships to three outstanding undergraduate students from Newmont Ahafo’s host communities, reaffirming a longstanding commitment to developing the next generation of professionals in the area.
The beneficiariesm – Dramani Bonsu from Kenyasi No. 1, Karikari Opoku Vincent from Kenyasi No. 2, and Safo Nana Kwadwo from Afrisipakrom – emerged as the top performers among seven shortlisted candidates who underwent a competitive selection process involving qualifying examinations and interviews.
The scholarships were presented at a brief ceremony held at the NADeF Secretariat in Ntotroso today. The event was attended by representatives of Liebherr Ghana, Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, the NADeF Board of Trustees, traditional authorities, Sustainable Development Committees, and members of the media.
Each awardee will receive GH¢10,000 as supplementary support under the Liebherr/NADeF Excellence Scholarship Scheme. The award is designed to complement the regular NADeF scholarship package and help cover tuition fees, accommodation, and learning materials throughout the beneficiaries’ undergraduate studies.
Two of the recipients, Dramani Bonsu and Karikari Opoku Vincent, are second-year Geomatic Engineering students at University of Mines and Technology, while Safo Nana Kwadwo is a fourth-year Doctor of Pharmacy student at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
Academic excellence
The Liebherr/NADeF Excellence Scholarship was established in 2013 to provide financial assistance to brilliant and highly motivated science students from Newmont Ahafo’s ten host communities. Initially supporting one student, the programme has expanded over the years to accommodate three beneficiaries annually as funding support increased.
Addressing the gathering, NADeF Executive Secretary, Mrs. Elizabeth Opoku-Darko, described the scholarship as a shining example of successful collaboration between the Foundation and corporate partners operating within the Ahafo enclave.
She explained that the programme seeks to ease the financial burden on talented science students and enable them to pursue higher education without interruption.
According to her, the scholarship scheme has produced several success stories over the years, including graduates who have gone on to become engineers, medical professionals, academicians and other skilled professionals contributing to national development.
Significant Impact
Mrs. Opoku-Darko disclosed that since its inception, the scholarship programme has benefited 21 students, with total sponsorship from Liebherr amounting to GH¢250,000.
She noted that among the beneficiaries, seven engineers, four medical professionals and one mathematician have successfully completed their studies, while five engineering students and four medical students are currently pursuing their programmes at various tertiary institutions.
“The initiative reflects the commitment of both Liebherr and NADeF to nurturing talent and promoting excellence in the sciences within the Newmont Ahafo Mine area,” she stated.
NADeF’s Agenda
Mrs. Opoku-Darko further highlighted the role of NADeF as the corporate social responsibility arm of Newmont Ghana’s Ahafo Mine. Established in May 2008, the Foundation was created to help Newmont Ahafo’s ten host communities achieve prosperity and self-reliance through sustainable development initiatives.
She explained that the Foundation is financed through Newmont’s contribution of US$1 for every ounce of gold sold and one per cent of the mine’s annual net pre-tax profit.
NADeF’s interventions span seven thematic areas: Human Resource Development, Economic Empowerment, Social Amenities and Infrastructure Development, Cultural Heritage, Environmental Management, Sports, and Youth Development.
Human Resource Development, which includes scholarship programmes, remains the Foundation’s largest investment area, accounting for 28 per cent of funds allocated to community development.
More corporate support needed
Commending Liebherr Ghana for its sustained commitment to human capital development over the past eleven years, Mrs. Opoku-Darko encouraged other contractors and businesses operating in the Ahafo area to emulate the initiative.
She stressed that broader corporate participation in educational support programmes would help accelerate sustainable development and create more opportunities for young people in Newmont Ahafo’s host communities.
The 2026 awards ceremony once again underscored the growing impact of strategic partnerships in expanding access to higher education and empowering talented youth to become future leaders and professionals.
