Twenty-four underprivileged students in the Western Region have received scholarships for the duration of their studies at the tertiary level from Chirano Gold Mine Ltd.  

This, according to the Mine, is part of efforts to provide support for the improvement of education in catchment communities through the provision of infrastructure, teacher incentives and human capital development.

The Chirano Sefwiman Foundation Scholarship Scheme has dedicated 20 per cent of its funds to promote education through scholarship.

Six (6) students were awarded the General Manager’s Scholarship Scheme and 18 students were awarded the Chirano Sefwiman Foundation Scholarship Scheme.

Last year, thirty (30) students benefited from the scheme and this brings to a total of 54, the number of students currently being fully funded at the tertiary level by the company.

The total spend on this year’s scholarship is ¢153,000 ($26k), bringing the total annual spend on scholarships to ¢260,000 ($43k), including the first batch.

All the applicants who benefitted attended basic schools located within the catchment communities of Chirano Gold Mine Ltd. 

According to the Vice President of Chirano Gold Mine Limited, Terence Watugwa, Management of the Mine recognizes education as a critical element in the advancement of local communities.

Mr Watugwa is positive of continuous support to education and economic empowerment of communities in the Mine's catchment areas.

"The GM’s Scholarship Scheme is an initiative of the Vice President and General Manager's office to lend a hand to students from the Senior High School level who might not be able to progress to the higher level because of the lack of financial support. 

The Chirano Sefwiman Foundation Scholarship scheme is one of the many projects of the Chirano Sefwiman Foundation which was inaugurated in 2020 with seed money of $2 million to spearhead development in our catchment area," he noted.

The Mine, over the years, has provided educational infrastructure such as classrooms, ICT labs and teachers quarters. 

Mr Terence Watugwa also hinted at plans of commissioning a new Junior High School Block for the community of Etwebo.

"As I speak, I am proud to announce that Chirano will next week commission a new Junior High School Block for the community of Etwebo. We will also be handing over a new teacher’s quarters to the basic school we built at Aboduabo," he revealed.

Andyla Dansowaa Aboagyewaa a student of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) studying Minerals Engineering, on behalf of the awardees, lauded the company for the establishment of the Chirano Sefwiman Foundation Scholarship.

She promised, "to study hard and give back to society after school."

The Head of Inspectorate Division of GES, Western Region, Felix Akomaning expressed gratitude to the company "for their immense contribution to the development of education in the region."