The 5th edition of NADeF/UMA Community Excellence Awards took place today at Ntotroso in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region.
This program, which is held annually is a collaboration between Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF) and Underground Mining Alliance (UMA), a contractor working with Newmont.
To date, ten tertiary students and 47 apprentices have benefitted from this scholarship with a commitment of GHC 504,513.56 from UMA.
The ten tertiary students who have so far benefitted pursued or are pursuing courses in science and engineering at various universities across the country. The apprentices, on the other hand, are mainly into hairdressing, dressmaking, electrical installation as well as welding and fabrication.
Commitment
Speaking at the ceremony at the NADeF Secretariat at Ntotroso today, Professor Yaw Ofosu-Kusi, Board Chairman of NADeF reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to transforming mining benefits into sustainable development for host communities, with education remaining at the centre of its intervention.
He noted that since its establishment, NADeF has made significant investments in infrastructure, health, livelihoods and education, stressing that scholarship and skills development programmes continue to be a core pillar of the Foundation’s work.
Impact of the NADeF–UMA Partnership
Prof. Ofosu-Kusi explained that the Excellence Awards programme was deliberately designed to support brilliant but needy youth from Newmont’s host communities who have demonstrated academic excellence, discipline and determination but face financial constraints.
“The NADeF/UMA Community Excellence Awards are a shining example of how strategic partnerships can accelerate development. This initiative is not just about financial support; it is about hope, opportunity and long-term capacity building within the Ahafo Region,” he said.
“The support covers tuition, accommodation, learning materials and essential tools, ensuring that financial hardship does not derail the dreams of deserving students,” he added.
The NADeF Board Chairman commended UMA for its pledge to sustain the scholarship annually for as long as the company continues to operate in Ahafo, describing the move as a demonstration of true corporate citizenship and a genuine commitment to community development.
Award Recipients
Addressing the award recipients, Prof. Ofosu-Kusi reminded them that they were selected through a “rigorous and transparent process” based on academic merit, demonstrated need and community validation.
“We expect you to uphold the highest standards of integrity and academic excellence, serve as ambassadors of your communities, and use the knowledge and skills you acquire to contribute meaningfully to local and national development,” he urged.
He further encouraged the beneficiaries to recognize that their success goes beyond personal achievement. “Your success is not yours alone. It belongs to your families, your communities and the generations that will look up to you as role models,” he said.
For his part, Mr. Peter Osei Mensah, the Alternative Project Manager of UMA, said his organization was proud of the success journey of beneficiaries of the partnership since its inception in August 2021.
He said UMA had undertaken other impactful projects over the years across Newmont’s host communities.
These include the construction of classroom blocks, mechanized boreholes as well as the donation of medical equipment to CHPS Compounds, donation of food items, beds and toiletries to the Compassion is Love Orphanage, sponsorship of medical screening at Gyedu, among others.
Beneficiaries of the NADeF/UMA Community Excellence Award for this year include Salamatu Ishaq of Kenyasi Number Two, who is pursuing Disease Control and Epidemiology at the Yamfo College of Health and Kufiah Wisdom Obengkrom (Kenyasi Number One), a Mining Engineering student of the University of Mines and Technology.
Theresah Nortey, Mahama Lucy, Elizabeth Yeboah, Dona Oppong Sida, Janet Boakye Duah, Ibrahim Salimata and Betina Faakyewaa are being assisted to train in dress-making while Hawa Mohammed is training to become a hair-dresser.
Owusu James and Nkrumah Edward are being supported in electric welding and fabrication.
The ceremony brought together traditional authorities, community leaders, education stakeholders and representatives of partner institutions, all united in celebrating excellence and reaffirming their commitment to youth development in the Ahafo Region.
