Twenty students of the Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI) who received a three-year scholarship package from Kinross Chirano Gold Mines have successfully completed their studies.

The support, which was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility, initially selected 30 students from communities in the catchment area of the mining company, however, nine persons dropped out and one other passed away.

Speaking at an event in honour of the students, Vice President and General Manager, Adriano Sobreira, said the scholarship aims at equipping the youth of local communities with employable skills to make them marketable on the job market.

Beneficiaries were trained in technology and technical allied courses such as Auto-Mechanic, Mechanic, Welding, Electrician, Auto-Electrician etc.

The selection is done by the Community Consultative Committee (CCC), chaired by Chief of Sefwi Paboase, Nana Frimpong Manso Ababio.

The chief has often pushed for residents at the communities where mining takes place should be supported.

Kinross Chirano officials believe the initiative will increase the literacy rate in the mining town and bring about positive decision making for community developments.

“It is important that we upscale the students and the people of the local community so that they can make an impact and become ambassadors and role models for those coming behind them," Mr Sobreira said.

Mr Sobreira adds: "the more you get this momentum from the bottom, the more you start seeing the people from the communities striving to become better than what they are. And we end up in a situation where we have youth in the community that can change for the better the future of the community they leave in.”

He stressed the company’s commitment to putting people first and being an outstanding corporate citizen, “we put people first, we go beyond Chirano Mines, and we go to the local community. We do this to make a difference, but we cannot help everybody but we will continue to do what we can to help people”.

The 20 graduates are part of a larger 350 youth who have already benefited from Chirano Mines’ livelihood empowerment program, according to officials.

Mr Sobreira noted a substantial part of these trainees have been engaged by the company, others have also been able to set up their own businesses based on the skill and entrepreneurial development training they received.

 “If you look at the skills being trained the youth, they are all skills that can be used in the mining industry; Mechanics, auto-electricians, welders, auto mechanics, plumbers among others”.

He urged the graduates to grab every opportunity they get on the job market, including at Chirano, and make the most of it.

The Chief of Sefwi Paboase, Nana Frimpong Manso commended Chirano Mines for the livelihood empowerment program saying the education of the students have inspired many parents who hitherto did not see the benefit of education, to take their children to school.

According to him, the mine has transformed the lives of people in the community by providing employment, education and medical facilities and has improved other amenities for local communities.

He appealed to the company to do more to absorb more youth into the company, by prioritising the employment of local people who have the required skills.