AGA launches community scholarship to empower youth

AngloGold Ashanti (AGA), Obuasi Mines, has unveiled a fully funded community scholarship scheme to support brilliant but needy students from the Adansi and Amansie communities. The initiative marks a significant investment in education and youth empowerment.

At a colourful ceremony in Obuasi on Tuesday, 20 students were awarded scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, laptops, and learning materials for tertiary education.

Each beneficiary will receive GH¢30,420 annually, amounting to GH¢151,745.93 in total per year, with payments made directly to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

The scholarship forms part of AngloGold Ashanti’s 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP), launched in July 2022, to foster inclusive development, empower communities, and advance social progress in areas where the company operates.

Mr. Adzowu Kofi William, Municipal Chief Executive of Obuasi East, praised the mining firm’s commitment to human capital development.

“This scholarship is not just a gift to individuals; it is an investment in the future of our municipality,” he stated.

He further underscored the significance of the launch coinciding with the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, on the theme: ‘End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls.’

Mr. Sam Boakye Pobee, Managing Director of the mining company, emphasised the company’s long-term vision: “We believe that sustainable mining goes beyond extracting resources—it’s about enriching lives. This scholarship is our pledge to ensure that no child is left behind due to financial constraints.”

He explained that the scheme was designed to improve access to quality education, serving as a catalyst for social mobility, economic empowerment, and community resilience.

And highlighted the company’s focus on supporting students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as well as Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET), describing these fields as critical to innovation and economic growth.

Moreover, Mr. Pobee underscored the strong partnership between AngloGold Ashanti, the SEDP, and the Otumfuo Foundation. He cited several educational investments, including: distribution of 147,000 Ghana Education Service-approved textbooks to 49 basic schools in Obuasi, commissioning of the ultra-modern Sanso Methodist Primary and M/A Junior High School, and establishment of a GH¢8.4 million state-of-the-art Robotics Centre at Obuasi Senior High School.

Encouraging the beneficiaries, he reminded them of Nelson Mandela’s words: “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”

Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, Vice Chancellor of KNUST, pledged her institution’s support in mentoring the scholarship recipients.

“We are proud to partner in shaping the next generation of engineers, scientists, and leaders,” she remarked.

She recalled the commissioning of the KNUST Obuasi campus in November 2020, which now accommodates nearly 3,000 students across more than 15 undergraduate programmes. She described the scholarship launch as a celebration of responsible corporate citizenship and shared vision.

Professor Dickson acknowledged AngloGold Ashanti’s contribution of GH¢732,000 towards infrastructure development at KNUST, reinforcing the company’s commitment to education under the SEDP.

She urged the beneficiaries to embrace the opportunity with dedication, gratitude, and hard work, reminding them that they represent the future of their communities and the nation.