Liebherr-Ghana Limited, an on-site contractor of Newmont’s Ahafo mine in collaboration with the Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF), has awarded scholarships worth GH¢15,000 each to three undergraduate students from Newmont’s host communities.

The 2025 beneficiaries - Joseph Amofa (Doctor of Pharmacy), Simon Awuni (Pharmacy Technology), and Bezaleel Kwaku Mensah (Medicine and Surgery) were selected under the Liebherr/NADeF Excellence Scholarship.

The scholarship scheme was launched in 2013 to nurture local talent and advance access to higher education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

Since its inception, the program has supported 18 outstanding students from ten host communities of the Newmont Ahafo Mine, empowering them to pursue degrees in fields such as mining engineering, computer science, and medicine.

Many alumni have returned to serve in Ghana’s extractive and health sectors - fulfilling the initiative’s goal of fostering homegrown professionals.

Globally, the mining sector invests over US$10 billion annually in education, skills development, and community programs, according to the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM).

Across sub-Saharan Africa, mining firms contribute approximately US$400 million each year toward educational and vocational training projects - a critical intervention in regions where resource extraction often outpaces human capital development.

In Ghana, industry giants like Newmont and others have collectively awarded more than 5,000 scholarships over the past decade, transforming lives and bridging the education gap in rural mining communities.

Education-focused social investment now accounts for nearly 30% of corporate community spending in the country’s mining sector.

Speaking at the awards ceremony in Ntotroso, Prof. Yaw Fosu Kusi, Board Chairman of NADeF, commended Liebherr and Newmont for aligning business goals with community transformation.

“This scholarship is not just financial aid-it’s an investment in leadership and innovation. We expect these beneficiaries to excel and reinvest their knowledge in their communities,” he said.

Elizabeth Opoku Darko, Executive Secretary of NADeF, emphasised the Foundation’s commitment to fairness and meritocracy:

“The selection process has always been competitive and transparent. Each awardee has demonstrated resilience, commitment, and excellence.”

Since its establishment in 2008, NADeF - Newmont Ahafo’s flagship Corporate Social Investment arm, has allocated 28% of its resources to human capital development, with over 5,000 students benefiting from various educational programs ranging from primary to tertiary levels.

For Liebherr-Ghana, known globally for its cutting-edge mining equipment and engineering solutions, investing in education is an extension of its corporate philosophy.

Samuel Allah Abban, Vendor Held Stock Manager of Liebherr-Ghana, noted that the partnership with NADeF reflects the company’s long-term vision.

“Our mission goes beyond technology. It’s about empowering the people who make mining possible. Supporting education in Ahafo strengthens the very communities that sustain the industry.”

For beneficiary Joseph Amofa, the scholarship represents both hope and responsibility.

“We are grateful for this opportunity and will return to Ahafo to impact lives with the skills and knowledge acquired,” he said on behalf of his colleagues.

Across Africa, initiatives like the Liebherr–NADeF partnership stand as proof that mining, often seen as a finite resource activity, can leave an infinite legacy - one measured not just in ounces of gold or tons of ore, but in minds empowered, dreams realised, and futures rebuilt.