The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has commended Newmont Ghana Gold Limited for establishing the Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation that seeks to ensure the sustainable development of its host communities.

“If all other mines can emulate the Newmont example, the lives of mining communities will improve tremendously,” he said during a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Place by a delegation from Newmont Ghana led by its Regional Vice President for Environment and Social Responsibility, Randy Barnes. The delegation included some members of the Board of Trustees of NADeF, led by its Chairman, Kwame Saraah Mensah.

Otumfuo also commended the company for the cordial working relationship it has maintained with its communities. He further called for a closer collaboration with the traditional authorities of the Ahafo mine’s host communities to develop the area while also urging the communities to provide a peaceful atmosphere for the company to operate.

On behalf of the company, Mr Barnes donated GH¢ 20,000 to the Otumfuo Education Fund and commended Otumfuo for contributing to the development of education in Ghana. He said human resource development was a key foundation to the country’s success and Otumfuo’s lead is a significant contribution. He added that Newmont’s commitment to education was in line with this effort and it was therefore proper for it to support the Otumfuo Education Fund. This is Newmont’s fourth donation to the Fund.

The company has a special interest in the development of human capital in Ghana. Through its Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF), Newmont has committed 24% of the Fund’s annual contribution to human resource development in its 10 host communities.

To date, NADeF has awarded and disbursed over GHc 2,700,000 as scholarships to over 3,000 students in both tertiary and second cycle institutions in the mine’s catchment area. Besides the scholarships, the company has also partnered with community stakeholders to support the construction of several educational infrastructure projects such as classroom blocks, teachers’ quarters, and community libraries in all the 10 host communities of the Ahafo mine.