NADeF SUPPORT 12,645 YOUTH IN AHAFO WITH ACADEMIC AND APPRENTICESHIP SCHOLARSHIP

By Emmanuel Adu Gyamfi
(Odopa2@gmail.com)

Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF), the mining giant's social responsibility arm, so far has supported a total of 12,645 youth from its ten host communities with both academic and apprenticeship scholarships.

The communities affected by the mine are Kenyasi No 1, Ntotroso, Gyedu, Wamahinso and Kenyasi No 2 in the Asutifi North district, and Yamfo, Terchire, Adrobaa, Afrisipakrom and Susuanso in the Tano North Municipality.

Out of the 12,645 beneficiaries, 1,319 were apprenticeship scholarships and 11,326 academic scholarships, with Newmont Ghana Gold Limited's contribution to NADeF as of December 2022 totaling over GH¢136 million.

Professor Yaw Ofosu - Kusi, the Chairperson, Board of Trustees for NADeF, stated these on Thursday October 12, 2023 during the presentation of training logistics to 84 apprentices from Kenyasi No. 2 in the Ahafo region.

He noted that the beneficiaries including 29 males and 55 females, would be embarking on apprenticeships in dressmaking, Electricals, hairdressing, tiling, welding and fabrication.

Logistics namely electric sewing machines and accessories, and other supporting items were presented to 37 dressmakers, 12 electricians received multi meters, chisels, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and others while helmets, PPEs and reflectors were given to 14 welders and fabricators.

Seven (7) tillers had mallets, PPEs, head pans, cutters, shovels, grows levelers and trowels among other logistics, while long brooms, assorted rollers, plastic chairs, mops, and towels were presented to 14 hairdressers.

The Board Chairman indicated that this apprenticeship support was worth GH¢448,100, with individual beneficiaries receiving support ranging from GH¢3,355 to GH¢7,311depending on the chosen vocation and training duration.

" the support covers payment for the entire training duration, provision of learning tools, feeding grant, and provision of prescribed uniforms. These logistics would ensure successful learning experience for the trainees" he said.

Prof Ofosu - Kusi assured that every involved trainer was chosen by the awardees and that NADeF has done due diligence to verify that all trainers were certified by at least their professional bodies, and are licensed to operate and train.

The Board Chairman expressed optimism that the youth, through the trainings, would acquire vocations by which they can become self - reliance saying "you can extend support to your families and communities too".

He disclosed that the Foundation is funded by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited through a commitment made in 2006 to set aside one dollar (1$) of every ounce of gold produced, and one per cent (1%) of the annual net profit from the Ahafo mine operations.

Prof Ofosu - Kusi implored the beneficiaries to utilise the investment made by Newmont and the Kenyasi No 2 community in their present and future welfare adding " take your training seriously to acquire the necessary skills. You will reap its benefits".

The Board chairman entreated the community and partners to continue to serve as ambassadors for NADeF and support the Foundation's mission.

He expressed gratitude to Newmont Ghana Gold for financing the initiative, Kenyasi No 2 community and its Sustainable Development Committee (SDC) for the decision to invest in the youth

 noting "together we can do exploits with Corporate Foundation efforts to achieve sustainable development".

Elizabeth Opoku - Darko, the Executive Secretary, Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation, stated that her outfit commenced the implementation of the apprenticeship program in Kenyasi No. 2 in 2010 with six (6) youth in light vehicle operation.

She further said one person in 2011 got training in light vehicle operation, 38 persons received training in variety of vocations in 2012, 18 were trained in 2014 on dressmaking, hairdressing and others.

The Executive Secretary stressed that in 2021, the Foundation facilitated the acquisition of Minerals Commission Certificates for 55 trained persons, and 42 persons were sponsored to learn heavy duty machines operations from 2019 to 2022.

Md Opoku - Darko emphasized that Newmont Ghana Gold through the Foundation was committed to ensuring infrastructure and human resource development, and economic empowerment of its operational communities adding "in unity, we can make our partnership great and strong".

The Chairman of Kenyasi No 2 SDC, Gabriel Adu Bonsu, noted that the committee beliefs strongly that every society develops through the building and development of its human capital, thus the need to award scholarships to young apprentices from the Community.

He pledged that stakeholders including members of the SDC and NADeF would routinely embark on monitoring and supervision of all the 84 trainees and the logistics in their various shops, to ensure value for money.

Mr Adu Bonsu on behalf of the SDC thanked NADeF and other partners including Kenyasi No 2 Traditional Council (KTC), the various youth groups, Assembly Members and the various apprenticeship trainers for their collaboration and participation in the activities of the committee.

The Toprehene of Kenyasi No 2 Traditional Council, Nana Adu Sarpong Kumankuma, urged the beneficiary apprentices to put up good moral life in all spheres of life saying that God lift the humble.

He reiterated that every developed nation could not make it without Technical, Vocational and Education Training (TVET), and entreated stakeholders to continue with their support for apprenticeship programs.

An Apprentice, Daniel Owusu, on behalf of the beneficiary awardees, hailed the SDC and NADeF for thinking about their present and future welfare promising "we will make judicious use of the expenditure on us".