Female university students drawn from the host communities of Gold Fields Ghana dominated the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) scholarship scheme for the 2023/24 academic year.
Out of the 125 needy but brilliant university students who were shortlisted for the scholarship, 67 were females, whilst the remaining 58 were males.
This is the first time females have dominated the GFGF annual scholarship scheme for brilliant, but needy students who have gained admission at the tertiary level.
The scholarship scheme is an annual ritual where every year the mine offers scholarship to needy, but brilliant university students in the host communities.
The foundation is expending a whopping $88,212.52 on the 125 beneficiaries. Each student would receive a sum of GHC7000.00 covering tuition fee, accommodation and other materials.
In the 2022/23 academic year, a total of 165 students, made up of 84 males and 79 females benefitted from the annual scholarship at a total cost of $199, 0000 for the academic period.
Speaking at the award, Nana Kwabena Siaw Sekyi, Regional Manager for Community Affairs indicated that, what was fascinating about this year’s scholarship award was that 65% were pursuing Engineering programmes, whilst 25% were enrolled in other Science related programs.
He said out of the 81 Engineering beneficiaries, 35 were females specialising in fields such as Mining, Geological, Geomatics, Mineral, Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
With the growing interest in Artificial Intelligence, the Foundation according to the Regional Community Affairs Manager, was piloting a smart lab project in one of its host communities.
Four teachers in that direction have been trained in robotics and the use of artificial intelligence. The 54 capacity lab, he further indicated, would serve students from primary 4 through JHS 3 in three different schools.
Given the importance parents attach to the scholarship award, it was a proud moment for them as they watched their kids received their scholarship packages.
Continuing, Regional Community Affairs Manager told the gathering that currently, there are 498 beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme still in school.
A total of $36milion has been expended on their education and trainings programmes
Nana Adarkwa Bediako, chairman of the scholarship committee appreciated the Foundation for the scholarship.
He, however, expressed the hope that the budget for the scholarship would be increased going forward to cater for more.
He said, over 200 needy but brilliant students put in application with the hope to be considered. But after a thorough search, they selected 125 beneficiaries. Given the tight competition for the selection, he advised the selected beneficiaries to count themselves fortunate for coming up tops.
Prof Simons, Pro Vice Chancellor of University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) expressed gratitude to the Foundation for the invaluable contribution it was making in educating the youth of host communities.
The UMaT Pro VC indicated whilst parents are grateful for the scholarship, they should equally compliment the efforts of the mine.
“Scholarship is not a right but a privilege so you have no excuse not to succeed. Don’t do anything that will bring the name of the mine and your parents into disrepute,” he advised.
Present at the ceremony were Nana Dr. Adarkwa Bediako III, Gyasehene and Chairman of the scholarship committee, Obaaheme Abena Boaduwa II, Queenmother of Apinto, Nana Kwesi Ansah, chairman of host community chiefs.
Others present included; Abdel Razak Yakubu, Executive Secretary of GFGF, Robert Siaw, Regional Manager, Community Affairs, Prof. Anthony Simons, Pro VC, UMaT, Prof. Eric Bruce Amartey, Dean of Students, Takoradi Technical University (TTU) amongst many other dignitaries.
