NADeF/Liebherr scholarship program transforms lives in Ahafo communities

Three brilliant undergraduate science students were awarded scholarships under the 2025 NADeF/Liebherr Excellence Scholarship Awards on Thursday October 2, 2025, at Ntotroso.

The beneficiaries are Bezaleel Kwaku Mensah, who is pursuing Medicine and Surgery at the University of Health and Allied Sciences; Awuni Simon, a Pharmacy Technology student at the Sunyani Technical University (STU) and Joseph Amofa, who is studying Doctor of Pharmacy at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

Since its inception in 2013, the NADeF/Liebherr Scholarship Program has emerged as a beacon of hope and empowerment for youth in Newmont Ghana Gold Limited’s host communities in Ahafo. Spearheaded by the Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF) in partnership with Liebherr, an on-site contractor at Newmont’s Ahafo Mines, the initiative has so far transformed the lives of 18 brilliant and ambitious students, producing a new generation of health professionals, engineers, educators, and scientists.

This long-standing collaboration is more than a corporate social responsibility initiative; it is a powerful testament to how strategic investments in education can ignite lasting change across communities.

From the program’s first beneficiary in 2013, Elijah Boateng of Terchire, who is now pursuing a master’s degree in mining engineering in the United States, the scholarship has created a ripple effect of excellence. Year after year, young men and women from host communities including Terchire, Gyedu, Yamfo, Adrobaa, Kenyasi, and Wamahinso have been given the opportunity to break barriers and pursue higher education in prestigious institutions across Ghana.

In the health sector, the impact is particularly profound. Beatrice Obeng Konama from Gyedu (2014 beneficiary) is now a Medical Doctor specializing in Internal Medicine at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, while Gottifred William Opoku Kumi (2015) and Obed Asante Antwi (2017) serve as doctors in Accra and Sunyani respectively. These professionals are not only fulfilling personal dreams but also contributing directly to improving healthcare delivery in Ghana.

Mining and engineering have also seen strong representation. Emmanuel Addo (2018) now serves as a Mining Engineer with African Underground Mining Services at the Ahafo Mines, while others like Afriyie Samuel, Oteng Emmanuel, and Amankwah Emmanuel are charting impressive paths in Geological, Renewable Energy, and Mechanical Engineering.

An Investment Paying Dividends
The NADeF/Liebherr Scholarship is designed to support bright but under-resourced students from Newmont’s operational communities. The deliberate focus on disciplines such as medicine, engineering, mathematics, and technology reflects a strategic alignment with national development priorities and the evolving needs of the local economy.

As of 2025, the scholarship boasts 18 proud alumni with many more currently in school. The latest crop of beneficiaries—now in their second year—includes students in Pharmacy Technology, Medicine and Surgery, and Doctor of Pharmacy programs. These young scholars represent the next wave of impact, innovation, and service.

Beyond individual success stories, the ripple effect is being felt in classrooms, hospitals, mining sites, and labs across the country. Teachers like Vivian Mansah (2016) are now shaping young minds at Sankore Senior High School, while engineers and scientists are contributing to industries vital to Ghana’s future.

At a brief award ceremony held at the NADeF Secretariat in Ntotroso for this year’s beneficiaries, Professor Yaw Ofosu-Kusi, Chairman of the NADeF Board of Trustees, commended Liebherr for its continued collaboration in building local human capacity. He noted that the scholarship initiative has produced professionals across various fields including mining and computer engineering, medicine, mathematics, geological and renewable energy engineering, and laboratory science—many of whom are now serving both in Ghana and internationally.

Prof. Ofosu-Kusi highlighted that NADeF actively partners with companies operating within Newmont’s host communities to support youth through academic scholarships and apprenticeship programs. He described the Liebherr/NADeF Excellence Scholarship Awards as a strategic initiative aimed at helping exceptional science students overcome financial barriers to their education.

He also urged the beneficiaries to honor their commitment to return and contribute to the development of their communities after completing their studies.

Prof. Ofosu-Kusi added that human resource development remains the largest investment area under NADeF’s community development initiatives, accounting for 28% of the foundation’s total funding allocation.

For his part, Mr. Samuel Allan Abban, the Vendor Held Stock (VHS) Manager at Liebherr Ghana Limited, congratulated the scholarship recipients and echoed the importance of giving back to their communities.

He reaffirmed Liebherr’s strong commitment to its corporate social responsibility obligations in Newmont’s host communities.

Community Ownership and Sustainable Impact

NADeF, funded by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited as part of its community development commitment, remains focused on sustainable, community-led growth. The scholarship program—executed in partnership with Liebherr—embodies this vision, ensuring that the benefits of mining go beyond the life of the mine.

The Foundation’s approach is holistic, targeting education, health, Social Amenities & Infrastructural Development, Cultural Heritage; Environmental Management; Sports, Youth Development and economic empowerment. Yet, the NADeF/Liebherr Scholarship stands out as a flagship initiative, widely recognized for its consistency, integrity, and transformative impact.

Looking Ahead
From mining engineers to medical doctors, and from local classrooms to international postgraduate programs, the legacy of this scholarship is being written—not just in degrees and titles—but in lives uplifted, dreams realized, and communities transformed.