Gold Fields awards scholarship

Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mine has awarded scholarships to 130 students in its operational area under its 2014-2015 scholarship package.

The beneficiaries who are to pursue various programmes at the senior high school (SHS) and tertiary institutions were made up of 81 males and 49 females.

The SHS beneficiaries received full scholarships of Ghc1,400 a year and bursary of Ghc700 a year.

The 45 beneficiaries from the tertiary institutions were given full scholarships of Ghc1, 800 a year and annual bursary of Ghc 900.

Presenting the awards at a ceremony at Tarkwa at the weekend, the General Manager of Gold Fields, Tarkwa Mine, Mr Michiel Van Der Merwe asked the beneficiaries to study hard to enable them contribute towards the country’s socio-economic development, as well as their future.

He said one of the objectives of the scholarship scheme is to assist needy, but brilliant students to further their education.

The General Manager said since the inception of the scholarship scheme, 932 persons have been awarded various scholarships.

“We believe that education must be made relevant to the world of work in order to overcome the country's unemployment challenge," Mr Merwe said.

He said the company is committed to sustainable development and is, therefore, proud to award the scholarships to support the growth of skilled manpower.

The Community Affairs and Public Relations Manager of the company, Mrs Florence Ansere-Bioh said the company received more than 200 applications for the 2014-2015 scholarships.

She said more females were awarded scholarships this year.

The Municipal Director of Education, Mrs Veronica Ama Jackson expressed gratitude to the management of Gold Fields, Tarkwa Mine, for running the scholarship scheme.

She entreated parents of beneficiaries to encourage their wards to put in more effort in their studies.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Ebenezer Asante, on behalf of his colleagues thanked the company for awarding them the scholarship.