Chirano: The Chirano Sefwiman Foundation Scholarship Scheme has celebrated its first batch of beneficiaries at a ceremony held at the company’s mine village. The ceremony marked the graduation of 33 students who pursued academic programs in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Stephen Asante Yamoah, General Manager of the Company, addressed the graduates, highlighting the event as a celebration of academic achievement and a testament to the collaboration between communities and corporate partners. He explained that the Scholarship Scheme emerged from a shared vision between Asante Gold Chirano Limited and the company’s Community Consultative Committee (CCC), which includes community leaders, government agency representatives, and other stakeholders.
Mr. Yamoah emphasized that the scholarship’s impact extends beyond individual beneficiaries, noting that education serves as a catalyst for transformation with ripple effects in their communities. He stated that Asante Gold Chirano Limited views investing in people as essential to sustainable development, with the scholarship exemplifying their commitment to building a future where every young person can thrive, regardless of their background.
He further elaborated that the Scheme, introduced in 2020, aimed to create opportunities for talented but underprivileged youth to pursue higher education. Since then, 107 scholarships have been awarded, demonstrating a sustained commitment to empowering the youth in host communities. The company has invested approximately GHC752,000 in supporting graduates, covering full or partial tuition and accommodation throughout their education.
Mr. Yamoah advised the graduates to seize the opportunity given to them, work with integrity, and serve their communities and country. Mr. DinDiok Chialin, the outgoing Board Chairman of the Company, remarked that the scholarship’s collective objective was to open educational opportunities for students who would have otherwise struggled.
Nana Kofi Nkuah, Chief of Sefwi-Ahwiaa and Dwantoahene of Wiawso Traditional Area, chaired the program and commended the company for investing in the youth’s future. He urged the beneficiaries to justify the investment made in them.
Mr. Kwabena Musah, Logistics and Procurement Officer at the Western North Regional Education Directorate, praised the company’s continuous support in the region’s education sector, highlighting their role in helping local students receive national awards.
Ms. Lily Nkansah Bosompim, a graduate from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, expressed gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries. She encouraged young girls from the Western North Region to focus on their studies and avoid the negative use of social media, emphasizing education as the path to societal usefulness.