Dr. Catherine Kuupol Kuutor, Tarkwa Mine Manager of Gold Fields Ghana (L) presenting an award to one of the graduates
The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has invested approximately US$4.8 million in skills development programmes, which underscores its commitment to people, communities and the creation of enduring value beyond mining operations.
The Foundation believes education and skills development are long-term investments in human capital and has prioritised training initiatives aimed at equipping young people with employable skills.
Its education and training interventions include a Scholarship Scheme, Graduate Training Programme, Community Apprenticeship Programme, Heavy Duty Mine Equipment Training, Mine Apprenticeship Training and Precision Welding Training programmes.
These programmes target youth living within the catchment areas of the Tarkwa and Damang mines of Gold Fields Ghana.
The Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Gold Fields Ghana, Elliot Twum, disclosed this at a graduation dinner held for the third cohort of the Foundation’s Graduate Training Programme.
Launched in 2018, the programme has become a cornerstone of Gold Fields’ skills development strategy, targeting tertiary graduates from the company’s host communities. The two-year structured programme provides immersive, on-the-job training across various departments of Gold Fields Ghana.
To date, 261 graduates have benefited from the programme. Mr. Twum noted that to further strengthen industry readiness and professional competence, trainees received Minerals Commission (MinCom) certifications as well as Lean Six Sigma White Belt certifications.
“These certifications equip them with recognised competencies in regulatory compliance, process improvement and operational excellence,” he said.
Mr. Twum further revealed that 17 trainees from the current cohort have already secured employment, six from Damang and eleven from Tarkwa, while one graduate is pursuing further studies abroad.
The Special Guest of Honour, Professor Grace Ofori-Sarpong, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), encouraged the graduates to reach their full potential.
She urged them to make themselves relevant and become problem-solvers in their future organisations.
For his part, the Lead Specialist for Community Relations and Sustainability at Gold Fields Ghana, Robert Siaw, expressed optimism that the graduates would take initiative and assume responsibility in ways that positively influence the communities and workplaces they join.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Tarkwa