Some beneficiaries of the Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation, NADeF, are delighted with the impact of the foundation’s support in their lives and activities but look forward to more support. 

The extra support, according to them, would help expand their businesses or institutions to employ more hands, enhance livelihoods, and admit more people.

These beneficiaries are dotted across the 10 Ahafo mining communities – Kenyasi No.1, Kenyasi No.2, Ntotroso, Gyedu, and Wamahinso in the Asutifi North District, and Yamfo, Susuanso, Afrisipakrom, Terchire, and Adrobaa in the Tano North Municipality.

NADeF supports sustainable developments in these communities with funds from Newmont, comprising 1 dollar per ounce of gold produced and 1 per cent of the annual net pre-tax profit from the Ahafo mines,

Since its inception in 2008 to December 2022, Newmont has contributed over 136 million Ghana cedis, out of which over 76 million Ghana cedis has so far been spent on projects, including schools, health centres, capacity building, professional training, youth employment, and business start-ups.

During a media tour of some of the projects funded by NADeF and led by the Board Chairman, Prof Yaw Ofosu-Kusi, some of the beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the continuous support in infrastructural development and empowering community members.

 “The loan given to us by NADeF has a low-interest rate. And it has helped me in my business,” Faustina Wesley Agyemang who received support from the foundation in her frozen products business at Kenyasi No1 said.

“But I will appeal to them to increase the amount since it is not enough for what we use it for. It will help us expand our business, especially since we can repay our loan in monthly installments,” she said.

At the NADeF-funded Police Training School at Kenyasi No1, the commander responsible, Chief Sup. Samuel Omari Anim, said the school which started in February 2022 has trained 395 first-batch Police Officers and 725 Community Police Assistants posted across Ghana.

In appreciating the foundation for the many ongoing projects, the commander also appealed for further support for female accommodation to enable them to enroll females to ensure gender parity at the security training school.

He also said they need a Mess, accommodation for instructors, and an ICT centre, among others, and look up to NADeF and other stakeholders to come to their aid.

The Principal of the College of Nursing -Ntotroso, Madam Aisha Sena Idrissu, also recounted the contribution of NADeF to the college established in 2014 with a current student population of 600.

“Every infrastructure in the school is by NADeF,” she said but added that they also look forward to further infrastructure expansion in classrooms and hostels to enable them to add orthopaedic nursing to their current general nursing programs.

Prof Yaw Ofosu-Kusi, Board Chairman of NADeF commended the efforts of the leadership of the institutions and added that they are committed and will continue to lend support to their growth.

He, however, appealed to individuals, organizations, and other stakeholders to make contributions to solve some of the institution’s challenges. 

He also advised community members to exercise patience and explore engagements rather than taking the laws into their hands in their dealings with the mining company since NADeF gets its developmental funding from the activities of Newmont.

“In every society, peace is the foundation for progress,” he said.