The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has made a significant donation to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to enhance educational supervision and monitoring in the Tarkwa Nsuaem and Prestea Huni-Valley municipalities. The Foundation handed over two Toyota Hilux pickup vehicles valued at over GH¢1.54 million. This intervention aims to address the challenges of educational supervision in mining communities, particularly in areas where distance and difficult terrain hinder effective monitoring. The donation is part of a broader package of support for institutions responsible for education, agriculture, cocoa extension, and environmental health services.
The presentation ceremony was held at the TNA Stadium, and according to the Executive Secretary of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, Mr. Abdel-Razak Yakubu, the Foundation views this intervention as a practical contribution to strengthening institutions responsible for educating children and providing essential services to host communities. The Foundation has invested over US$113 million in various sectors, including education, health, agriculture, water, and sanitation, with over US$16.18 million specifically directed towards educational programs and initiatives. These initiatives include scholarships, school infrastructure, capacity building, reading programs, and training aimed at improving learning outcomes.
The donated vehicles and motorcycles are expected to enhance the capabilities of education officials, agricultural extension officers, and environmental health services in the beneficiary municipalities. Mr. Yakubu emphasized that effective implementation of educational programs requires strong collaboration with institutions responsible for education, particularly in areas such as school supervision, teacher and learner engagement, and program coordination. The two pickups will enable the Tarkwa Nsuaem and Prestea Huni-Valley education directorates to carry out their responsibilities more effectively.
In addition to the vehicles, the Foundation donated nine motorcycles, valued at GH¢293,600, to support agricultural extension, cocoa services, and environmental health outreach. The motorcycles will be distributed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Cocoa Health and Extension Division of COCOBOD, and Environmental Health Departments in the two municipalities. This donation is expected to improve the reach of these essential services in the beneficiary communities.
The Member of Parliament for Tarkwa Nsuaem, Mr. Issah Salifu Taylor, commended the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation for responding to the needs of the beneficiary institutions. He emphasized that the real value of the intervention lies in the people who will ultimately benefit from improved public services. Mr. Taylor also appealed for further collaboration to address the deteriorating inner roads in Tarkwa, which are affecting residents, businesses, and transportation.
The Community Relations Superintendent of Gold Fields Ghana, Mr. Solomon Ocansey, expressed appreciation for the continued partnership between Gold Fields and the beneficiary institutions. He noted that such collaboration has contributed to the achievements recorded in community development. The western Regional Director of Education, Emmanuel Essuman, received the two Hilux vehicles on behalf of the two Directorate.
The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation's intervention is part of its broader objective of creating enduring value in host communities beyond the life of mining. The Foundation's other initiatives include the Community Oil Palm Project, Cocoa Farmers Support Programme, scholarships, school and health infrastructure, sustainable water systems, skills development, entrepreneurship, and livelihood enhancement programs. The significance of the donated vehicles and motorcycles will ultimately be measured by the number of schools and communities they enable officers to reach and support.
Key points
- The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has donated 2 Toyota Hilux vehicles and 9 motorcycles to support education and essential services in Tarkwa Nsuaem and Prestea Huni-Valley municipalities.
- The donation is valued at over GH¢1.54 million and aims to enhance educational supervision and monitoring in mining communities.
- The Foundation has invested over US$113 million in various sectors, including education, health, agriculture, water, and sanitation.
